As per tradition, Queen Victoria’s throne speech marked the start of the annual legislative session. 1880 held a general election in which Gladstone beat out Disraeli for prime minister, much to Victoria’s disappointment. She addresses this change with class in her speech, as well as discussing the state of foreign affairs in India, Afghanistan, and South Africa. The speech ends with a list of matters to be debated in Parliament in the forthcoming session and a blessing from the queen.
