October 27, 2025
Each day that the House meets, the Sergeant-at-Arms leads a procession from the Speaker’s office into the legislative Chamber. The uniforms worn in the procession, along with the procession itself, are centuries-old parliamentary traditions the Legislature continues to observe.
The Sergeant-at-Arms is followed by the Speaker, the Clerk, and table officers, all wearing black-and-white uniforms. These outfits come from traditions of the Westminster parliamentary system dating back to the 1600s.
The Speaker, the Clerk, and table officers wear silk robes that are different lengths depending on their role. They also wear tricorn hats.
The Sergeant-at-Arms wears a bicorn hat, a black swallow-tail jacket, and white gloves to carry the mace during the procession. The mace is a symbol of the Speaker’s authority and must be present for a House sitting to take place.
Learn more
Read about parliamentary traditions.
View the parliamentary fashion video (opens another site).
Watch a video about the tailor (opens another site) who makes the uniforms.