John Bercow was re-elected as Speaker of the House of Commons as MPs gathered in Westminster for the first time following the election.
Mr Bercow, whose private life has been in the headlines in recent days, said he would strive to be "the backbenchers' champion" throughout the next parliament.
He was dragged from the benches to the Speaker's chair in accordance with tradition.
He said: "It has been an honour to serve as Speaker for almost six years and I would be honoured to do so for a little longer if colleagues kindly agree."
In an apparent reference to the infamous '#EdStone' unveiled by Labour leader Ed Miliband before the election, Mr Bercow added: "If there are five words I would like carved on my political tombstone - assuming such items are not now forever unfashionable - they are 'he was the backbenchers' champion'."
Meanwhile, David Cameron was nearly hit in the face by Black Rod during the day's ceremonial proceedings.
The prime minister was forced to take sudden evasive action as Black Rod's mace swung perilously close to his head.
Footage of the moment was shared rapidly online - as was a clip appearing to show an MP eating his own ear wax.
The moment was met with predictable responses on social media.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-conversation="none" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JamieRoss7" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-44751-https://twitter.com/JamieRoss7" data-vars-event-id="c23">@JamieRoss7</a> You’ve made me feel queasy now.— Caron Lindsay (@caronmlindsay) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/caronmlindsay/status/600307937941319680" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-44751-https://twitter.com/caronmlindsay/status/600307937941319680" data-vars-event-id="c23">May 18, 2015</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JamieRoss7" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-44751-https://twitter.com/JamieRoss7" data-vars-event-id="c23">@JamieRoss7</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/biscuit_ersed" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-44751-https://twitter.com/biscuit_ersed" data-vars-event-id="c23">@biscuit_ersed</a> Put me off my cuppa, that did. Yuck.— Pauline (@juliefa2) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/juliefa2/status/600308171597570049" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-44751-https://twitter.com/juliefa2/status/600308171597570049" data-vars-event-id="c23">May 18, 2015</a>
