BREAKING NEWS: Historic moment Prince Charles heads to Parliament to deliver the Queen's Speech on her behalf as she battles mobility issues - while Her Majesty's throne will remain poignantly empty throughout
- The Queen missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years due to mobility issues
- Her Majesty reluctantly made the decision not to attend for only the third time in her 70-year reign
- Prince Charles stood in following discussions between the Queen, her aides and her doctors
- Prince of Wales will read the Queen's Speech while supported by Prince William in highly symbolic event
- Queen is prioritising a small number of events as she battles health problems ahead of historic jubilee
By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER and JAMES TAPSFIELD, POLITICAL EDITOR and CHAY QUINN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 19:55 AEST, 10 May 2022 | UPDATED: 20:26 AEST, 10 May 2022
Prince Charles has arrived at Parliament as he stepped in for his mother at the 11th hour to read the Queen's Speech that will announce 38 of Boris Johnson's new Bills to properly punish eco 'hooligans', capitalise on Brexit and ensure Britons can pay their soaring bills.
In a poignant scene the Imperial State Crown - the greatest symbol of British sovereign power and authority - was carried to Westminster ahead of the Prince of Wales in a limousine with Britain's Crown Jeweller. But Her Majesty was forced to stay away due to mobility problems, although it was confirmed she was watching the event on TV from Windsor Castle.
In a highly symbolic and historic moment for the British monarchy, the Prince of Wales took on his closest role yet to that of king and will address the House of Lords this morning after his mother, 96, obeyed doctor's orders to miss the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years.
The Queen's throne has been brought out but will remain poignantly empty in the House of Lords for only the third time in her extraordinary 70-year reign - and the monarch was said to have been desperate to attend the pomp and ceremony event dating back centuries.
Prince William, who will one day sit on the throne himself, arrived at his first ever State Opening of Parliament around five minutes before his father. The two future kings were specifically given power to jointly act on Her Majesty's behalf so that the ceremony could go ahead.
And as her role expanded, Charles' wife the Duchess of Cornwall is by his side at her first state occasion since Her Majesty said Camilla will become queen consort on Charles's ascension to the throne.
Charles' speech has been drawn up by Boris Johnson and his No 10 team as he battles to regain the political initiative after damaging rows over lockdown parties and the heavy losses suffered by the Tories in the local elections and left the Tories trailing Labour in national polls.
Prince Charles and Camilla, who was recently announced to be styled as Queen Consort when Charles ascends to the throne, arrive at Parliament
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall proceed into the Palace of Westminster at the opening of the parliamentary session
Prince Charles arrives at the Sovereign Gate with the Duchess of Cornwall as he prepares to deliver the Queen's Speech for the first time
Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall on his way to Parliament for the State Opening of Parliament
The Queen's Speech is traditionally delivered by the sitting monarch from the Sovereign's Throne (pictured centre) but will this year be delivered by the Prince of Wales due to The Queen's ongoing mobility issues, meaning her throne will remain empty
The Duke of Cambridge enters the Palace of Westminster with a guard of honour
A car carrying Britain's Queen Elizabeth's crown rides by the Buckingham Palace at the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster
The Imperial State Crown travels by car to the Houses of Parliament ahead of the State Opening of Parliament
The crown was then carried into Parliament ahead of the arrival of the Prince of Wales
The Imperial State Crown arrives through the Sovereign's Entrance ahead of the State Opening of Parliament at Houses of Parliament
The Queen pictured as she gave the 2021 Queen's Speech in the House of Lords in May last year. Today she will miss it for the first time in 59 years as Prince Charles takes on more of her responsibilities
Prince Charles will announce Government bills including a Levelling Up Bill, meant to provide a boost to Britain's towns and cities
The Chamber of the House of Lords will play host to the first State Opening without the Queen since 1963 - when the speech was delivered by the Lord Chancellor
Members of the Household Cavalry arrive through the Sovereign's Entrance ahead of the State Opening of Parliament
The Queen's Guard standing ready for the arrival of Prince Charles at Westminster where he will address both Houses of Parliament on behalf of his mother The Queen
The Yeoman of the Guard enter the Royal Gallery during the traditional search of the Houses of Parliament before the Queen's Speech. It is a tradition dating back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605
This year's Queen's Speech is the first in nearly 60 years to not feature Elizabeth II - who is dealing with ongoing mobility issues which mean she is absent for the first time since 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Edward
The ceremonial search of the Yeomen of the Guard (pictured) precedes the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament
The search comes before the monarch enters the Palace of Westminster to lay down the Government's plans for the year
The Yeomen of the Guard attend the Palace of Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament - including the Queen's Speech which sets out the Government's legislative agenda for the year ahead
The Yeomen perform a ceremonial search at the State Opening of Parliament each year - which remembers the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes and others attempted to destroy the Palace and kill James I
Members of the House of Lords attend the Queen's Speech in their Parliament robes for the annual opening of the parliamentary session (Pictured: A program for the Queen's Speech written before the Queen announced she would not be attending yesterday given to a member of the House of Lords)
The House of Lords begins to fill up ahead of the State Opening of Parliament and Queen's Speech - which opens the parliamentary session each year and after an election
The Queen's Guard line up for a Guard of Honour outside the Palace of Westminster prior to the Queen's Speech
The Household Cavalry 'proving' the short route from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament where Prince Charles will read the Queen's speech for the first time - a preparation for his ascension to the throne
The Household Cavalry and other military regiments 'prove the route' for the monarch at each State Opening - a tradition which symbolises checking the route between the palaces is safe for the monarch
Searching for explosives, the arrival of Black Rod - but this year no Queen: What happens at the Queen's Speech and how it will be different in 2022
What is the State Opening of Parliament?
The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year and the Queen's Speech sets out the government's agenda for the coming session, outlining proposed policies and legislation. It is the only regular occasion when the three constituent parts of Parliament – the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons – meet.
When is State Opening?
Today, Parliament is being opened by the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge as Counsellors of State.
State Opening happens on the first day of a new parliamentary session or shortly after a general election.
The last State Opening of Parliament took place on Tuesday 11 May 2021, at the start of the 2021-22 parliamentary session. The State Opening of Parliament following the 2019 general election took place on Thursday 19 December 2019.
What happens during State Opening?
State Opening is the main ceremonial event of the parliamentary calendar, normally attracting large crowds and a significant television and online audience.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, the State Opening of 11 May 2021 was adapted, with reduced ceremonial elements and attendees to ensure it was COVID-secure.
Usually, the event would begin with the Queen's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, escorted by the Household Cavalry.
The Queen arrives at Sovereign's Entrance and proceeds to the Robing Room. Wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, she leads the Royal Procession through the Royal Gallery, packed with 600 guests, to the chamber of the House of Lords.
The House of Lords official known as Black Rod is sent to summon the Commons. The doors to the Commons chamber are shut in his or her face: a practice dating back to the Civil War, symbolising the Commons' independence from the monarchy. Black Rod strikes the door three times before it is opened. Members of the House of Commons then follow Black Rod and the Commons Speaker to the Lords chamber, standing at the opposite end to the Throne, known as the Bar of the House, to listen to the speech.
The Queen's Speech
The Queen's Speech is delivered by the Queen from the Throne in the House of Lords. Although the Queen reads the Speech, it is written by the government. It contains an outline of its policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary session.
After the Queen's Speech
When the Queen leaves, a new parliamentary session starts and Parliament gets back to work. Members of both Houses debate the content of the speech and agree an ‘Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Gracious Speech'. Each House continues the debate over the planned legislative programme for several days, looking at different subject areas. The Queen's Speech is voted on by the Commons, but rarely in the Lords.
History of State Opening
Traditions surrounding State Opening and the delivery of a speech by the monarch can be traced back as far as the 16th century. The current ceremony dates from the opening of the rebuilt Palace of Westminster in 1852 after the fire of 1834.
What is expected in the Speech?
Brexit freedoms
The Prime Minister has also said he has plans for a 'super seven' set of Bills aimed at changing laws the UK inherited from the EU.
According to the Sunday Express, a new Brexit Freedoms Bill will aim to cut EU regulatory 'red tape' which remains in UK law after leaving the trading bloc.
A coming Procurement Bill is reportedly aimed at giving small and medium sized businesses a better opportunity to compete for Government contracts, and there are also plans to boost animal welfare and crack down on puppy smuggling.
However, the Times has reported that plans to ban imports of foie gras and fur clothing to the UK have been scrapped from the speech, in an attempt by Boris Johnson to shore up support from the Conservative right wing.
Bill of Rights
Dominic Raab has indicated the Government wants to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.
The Justice Secretary told LBC that a new Bill of Rights would result in 'less shifting of the goalposts, less elastic interpretations of human rights', adding that people find the current law 'frustrating in the context of deporting foreign national offenders'.
Education
Ministers will crack down on truancy, beef up the powers of education watchdogs and reform the funding system in new legislation to create 'a school system that works for every child'.
Under plans in the Schools Bill, England's schools would be required to publish an attendance policy and there will be compulsory registers for children who are not in classrooms so the authorities can identify who is not receiving a full-time education.
Levelling up
A Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is expected to give local leaders new powers to rejuvenate high streets, by forcing landlords to rent out empty shop units.
Communities Secretary Michael Gove said: 'By empowering local communities to rent out shops which have been sat empty for a year or longer, we will end the scourge of boarded up shops that have blighted some of our great towns across the country for far too long.'
Privatisation of Channel 4
Plans to privatise Channel 4, announced in April, are part of a wider series of reforms proposed for the UK's broadcasting landscape.
Carried-over Bills
The Government has also carried over legislation it did not finish in the previous session of Parliament.
This includes the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill aimed at preventing curbs on free speech in universities, the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, and the Online Safety Bill, a long-awaited piece of legislation aimed at preventing cyberflashing and online stalking, among other online harms.
Today's speech will include a new crackdown on 'guerrilla protests' with jail sentences of up to six months and unlimited fines for those who glue themselves to roads or 'lock on' to public transport infrastructure. Legislation to boost energy security is also expected in the package - but so far there has been little sign of new moves on the cost of living, even though Britons are increasingly struggling to cope with inflation soaring towards 10 per cent.
Before the heir to the throne's arrival at Parliament, the Yeomen of the Guard, the royal bodyguards, carried out their ceremonial search of the cellars of the Palace of Westminster for explosives - a tradition dating back to Guy Fawkes's gunpowder plot of 1605 where English Catholics failed to blow up the Protestant King James I and Parliament.
The Sovereign's Throne in the House of Lords has been left symbolically empty, with the monarch watching proceedings on television at Windsor where she continues her desk duties. Questions will inevitably be asked about whether the increasingly frail 96-year-old monarch will ever be seen in the Palace of Westminster again, as she reduces her public events.
Her Majesty was said to be determined to be at the Houses of Parliament this morning but has been forced to miss it because she is struggling to walk or stand for long periods. The monarch appears to be prioritising the Platinum Jubilee next month.
For Prince Charles, today is the biggest day of his royal life today as his mother focuses on being well enough to attend events to mark her 70 years on the throne in early June. The heir to the throne has taken on more and more of the Queen's responsibilities, but this is the most important state occasion he has absorbed so far.
In his mother's absence, the Prince of Wales is laying out the legislative programme for the new Parliamentary session.
Ministers have already signalled that the measures will include schools and higher education reform to help the post-Covid recovery, punishing owners of unused second homes, and giving locals more power over housing developments.
A law to tackle disruptive action by groups such as Extinction Rebellion is also being announced - reviving powers the government floated in January, before being blocked by Labour and others in the House of Lords.
Legislation to boost energy security is also expected in the package - but so far there has been little sign of new moves on the cost of living, even though Britons are increasingly struggling to cope with inflation soaring towards 10 per cent.
A criminal offence of 'locking on' will be created to prevent activists chaining themselves to buildings, vehicles and other protesters.
It will carry a maximum penalty of six months and an unlimited fine.
Stop and search powers will allow police to detain campaigners carrying bike locks and other equipment designed to make themselves difficult to remove.
A new offence will also be introduced to specifically ban the obstruction of key national infrastructure such as airports, railways and newspaper printing presses, which will be punishable by up to 12 months in prison and an unlimited fine.
It will also be illegal to obstruct major transport works, including disrupting the construction or maintenance of projects such as HS2.
And new Serious Disruption Prevention Orders will allow police to ban suspected troublemakers from attending specified events.
Groups such as Extinction Rebellion, Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil have used guerrilla tactics to wreak havoc in recent years – stopping people getting to work and costing taxpayers millions because of the mammoth police operations.
The Queen obeyed doctor's orders to miss the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years as she prioritises the Platinum Jubilee next month.
Her Majesty was said to be determined to be at the Houses of Parliament this morning but will skip the Queen's Speech because she is struggling to walk or stand for long periods.
She was forced to pull out after speaking to her medical team about her 'episodic mobility problems', Buckingham Palace said night, despite a 'wheelchair-friendly route' being discussed so she could make it.
The monarch is expected to limit her appearances at the Platinum Jubilee to the Trooping the Colour - the parade and flypast that kicks off the celebrations on Thursday June 2 - and a service of celebration at St Paul's Cathedral the next day, which will be attended by the entire Royal Family including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have been banned from the Buckingham Palace balcony 24 hours earlier. But her presence is unlikely to be confirmed until the day itself.
The Queen left it until the 11th hour to see if she would be well enough to attend. The 96-year-old takes her constitutional duties extremely seriously, and it is only the third time she has missed it in her 70-year reign. The last time she stayed away was 59 years ago when she was pregnant with Prince Edward.
The State Opening of Parliament is one of the monarch's most significant public duties and involves the reading of the Queen's Speech, outlining her government's policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary session.
Until yesterday morning Buckingham Palace had repeatedly said the Queen still 'hoped' to attend. She has only missed the event twice in her entire reign – in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward respectively – and the speech was read by the then Lord Chancellor.
There was no doubt that the high-profile event would have been physically gruelling for her, despite steps being taken to minimise her need to walk.
Even though she has taken the lift into the building since 2016 and officials had discreetly discussed a private 'wheelchair-friendly route', the Queen would still have been required to walk into the chamber.
After consultations with her doctors yesterday the palace announced last night that she had 'reluctantly' taken the decision to pull out.
It is understood she is continuing to experience what officials describe as the 'episodic mobility problems' that have dogged her since last year and forced her to cancel a string of high-profile public engagements.
Her spokesman said: 'The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility problems and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow.
'At Her Majesty's request, and with the agreement of the relevant authorities, the Prince of Wales will read the Queen's Speech on Her Majesty's behalf, with the Duke of Cambridge also in attendance.'
Aides stressed that the decision not to attend had only been taken yesterday – although contingency plans had long been put in place just in case.
They also stressed the Queen has a 'busy diary' this week, with a call to Australia undertaken yesterday, a planned 'virtual' privy council meeting and her weekly audience with the Prime Minister tomorrow by phone.
Significantly, she did have to authorise what are known as 'Letters Patent' – a legal expression of the monarch's 'will' – to delegate the opening of a new session of Parliament to her Counsellors of State, Prince Charles and Prince William.
In order to prevent delay or difficulty in the dispatch of public business, the sovereign may issue Letters Patent delegating specified 'royal functions' to Counsellors of State if they are incapacitated.
The Queen's Speech is delivered to members of both Houses of Parliament - including members of the Government such as Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured leaving Downing Street) whose Public Order Bill to crackdown on guerrilla protestors is set to be included
Listeners will be keenly looking for measures in the speech from Chancellor Rishi Sunak (pictured) to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis
The Queen's Guard (pictured) provide the Sovereign with a Guard of Honour both at Buckingham Palace and at the Palace of Westminster
The State Opening of Parliament is one of the major occasions for both the Government and the monarchy and the absence of the Queen is likely to spark fears for her participation in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations next month
The Prime Minister's sister, journalist and broadcaster Rachel Johnson attends the historic State Opening
The Royal House Artillery - who traditionally accompany the Queen on the journey from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament - passes the Queen Victoria Memorial prior to the State Opening of Parliament
The Yeomen of the Guard are also traditionally present at the Royal Maundy service, the investiture of the Prince of Wales and the funeral of the monarch
The Queen escorted by her son Prince Charles during the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords last year. Charles will stand in for his mother this morning
The Queen pictured on the way to her first State Opening of Parliament as monarch in November 1952. Today is only the third time in 70 years she has missed it
The Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during the State Opening of Parliament on October 14, 2019
Who is Black Rod and why is the Commons' door slammed in his face?
Black Rod is the senior official responsible for maintaining order at the House of Lords.
The official's most famous task is banging on the door of the House of Commons with a ceremonial staff during the annual State Opening of Parliament to summon MPs to hear the Queen's Speech.
To symbolise the primacy of the Commons, the door is slammed in Black Rod's face, and the holder of the office is required to bang three times before the door is opened.
Black Rod acts as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain, with responsibility for major ceremonial events in the Palace of Westminster.
The position is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of a selection panel chaired by the Lord Speaker.
Since 2018, the post has been held by Sarah Clarke, who was the first woman to take on the 670-year-old role.
Her official title is Lady Usher of the Black Rod.
She replaced David Leakey, who had served since 2011.
Counsellors of state are the four most senior adult members of the British royal family and they currently still include Prince Andrew and Prince Harry – but neither are working royals and the latter does not even reside in the UK.
The situation will increase pressure on Buckingham Palace to force a change of law, allowing Anne and Edward to step up instead should Charles or William be incapable of doing so.
In recent years the Queen has slowly been shedding aspects of the pomp and ceremony around the State Opening to take account of her advancing years, such as wearing 'day dress' instead of heavy robes of state and a hat replacing her uncomfortable Imperial Crown.
It will be the first time that William – who has been taking on increasing responsibilities – has joined his father as a future king. His presence is required as two Counsellors of State are needed to attend.
He is due in Manchester later today with Kate to attend the official opening of the Manchester Arena attack memorial. The timing of the event is being adjusted slightly to take account of his new plans.
Prince Charles stood in following discussions between the Queen and her aides. He will be supported by his wife Camilla and Prince William.
A new Letters Patent authorised by the Queen was issued to cover the State Opening delegating to Counsellors of State the royal function of opening a new session of Parliament.
In this instance, it enables Charles and William to jointly exercise that function. No other functions have been delegated by the Queen.
The Queen pictured on the throne during the State Opening of Parliament in 1966. Tomorrow will be only the third time she has missed the event
Prince Charles will step in for the Queen, supported by his wife Camilla (pictured together at the State Opening last year)
The Queen standing ahead of her speech in the House of Lords as part of the State Opening of Parliament in 2021
The Queen and Prince Charles, with his wife Camilla sat to his left, pictured during the opening of Parliament in 2019
It is the first time Her Majesty has missed the opening of Parliament for 59 years.
And she has only missed the event twice in her entire reign - in 1959 and 1963 when pregnant.
On those occasions her speech, setting out the government's legislative plans for the coming year, was read by the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Kilmuir.
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Historic moment Prince Charles heads to Parliament to deliver the Queen's Speech
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