King Charles III will announce Labour's first government programme in over a decade on Wednesday, as the UK parliament reopens after the July 4 election.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to prioritize economic growth in his legislative agenda as Labour governs the UK for the first time in 14 years.

"The King's Speech legislation will build on our initial momentum and impact the lives of working people," said Starmer, who led his party to a decisive victory over the Conservatives.

Although called the King's Speech, it is crafted by the government to outline proposed laws for the next year.

In a grand ceremony, King Charles, wearing the diamond-studded Imperial State Crown and a crimson robe, will present the proposals from a golden throne in the House of Lords.

The speech will likely include over 35 bills, such as enforcing public spending rules and preventing future utility bill price hikes that caused the recent cost-of-living crisis.

Labour will also detail previously announced initiatives, like a fund to attract investment to the UK and a public body to boost clean energy by 2030.

Other expected announcements include restoring mandatory housebuilding targets, renationalizing rail services, and establishing a new border security command.

Labour plans to enhance workers' rights, ban zero-hour contracts, and strengthen renter protections in its first such address since 2010.

"This is a motivated party," former Labour minister Tony McNulty told AFP. "They are eager to prove they are the rightful party of government."

- Ceremonial 'hostage' -

The day starts at 9:30 am with royal bodyguards searching the Palace of Westminster's basement for explosives, a tradition dating back to the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.

The sovereign will then travel from Buckingham Palace to Parliament by carriage, escorted by mounted cavalry.

Tradition requires an MP to be held "hostage" in the palace to ensure the king's safe return.

A parliamentary official, Black Rod, will have the door of the House of Commons symbolically slammed in their face, representing parliament's independence from the monarchy.

MPs will follow Black Rod to the House of Lords, where King Charles will deliver the speech to assembled lords and invited Commons members shortly after 11:30 am.

As head of state, King Charles remains neutral in politics. He was expressionless during the last address in November, despite his environmental interests, when then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government announced new oil and gas licenses.

"This King's Speech likely aligns more with his views, but he will remain impartial," said McNulty, a British politics lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. "That's his duty."