It all started with vellum. We were led to believe that Queen Elizabeth's speech opening a new session of the British parliament next week was being delayed because it had to be printed on vellum: a parchment made from the skin of a calf. And, that ink on vellum takes quite a while to dry. Hence, the delay. Fascinating! So British! Well, it turns out, the Queen's speech used to be inked on vellum, but those days are long gone. Now, it's printed on goatskin parchment. But don't be fooled: there is no actual goatskin in the Queen's goatskin. Stay with me here. Next week, when she addresses Parliament, the Queen will be holding thick, archival parchment which is called goatskin - but which does not contain animal hide. And apparently, the ink on this goatskin WILL take several days to dry. But apart from the problem of the extended drying time - the speech is being delayed for political reasons, too. The Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament lays out the government's agenda
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