Member

The ability of this country to put on state ceremonials of fine and undeniable pomp and circumstance is one of the key aspects of the soft power about which we hear so much. Approximately 4.1 billion people around the world watched the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II; this is estimated to be more than half the world’s population, and it was the most-watched broadcast event in history, surpassing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics opening ceremony. Over 2 billion people in 125 countries watched the Coronation of the present King. These are tremendous opportunities to show our country at its best. The two Peers mentioned in this amendment are epicentral to them. We should be trying to make their jobs easier, rather than harder by excluding them from this House.