As a prelude to every sitting of the House of Commons, the ceremonial Speaker’s procession leaves the Speaker’s house, towards the Commons Chamber. The Sergeant at Arms carrying the Mace, the symbol of Royal Authority and a door keeper walks in front of the Speaker, with members of the Speaker’s staff following him. As the procession reaches the Central Lobby, a policeman shouts, ‘Hats off, strangers’, and all the policemen and other people remove their headgears in respect, as the procession passes.
