Prince Charles opens Parliament in Queen’s absence

Prince Charles steps up as health issues force Queen Elizabeth the second to miss the annual state opening of parliament in the UK for the first time in 59 years

Prince Charles delivers the opening speech to the parliament for the first time, outlining the UK government’s political agenda amid Queen Elizabeth’s absence.

The Sovereign’s Throne sits empty in the parliament with the heir Prince Charles sitting by the Imperial State Crown on the Consort’s Throne. His wife, Camilla and son, Prince William also accompany him in the House of Lords Chamber.

“Her Majesty’s government’s priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families,” Charles says, delivering the speech written by the government.

“Her Majesty’s government will level up opportunity in all parts of the country and support more people into work. Her ministers will continue to support the police to make the streets safer, and fund the National Health Service to reduce the COVID backlogs.”

The Queen’s original speech would have included ‘My Government’ but Charles replaces it with ‘Her Majesty’s Government’.

Charles concludes his eight-minute address with a mention of the upcoming celebration of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

The world’s longest reigning monarch is said to be suffering from ‘episodic mobility problems‘ which has been forcing her to miss several public events over the past months including the parliament opening.

This marks her third absence from the state opening of parliament since she took over the throne in 1952. The last two times being when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew in 1959 and Prince Edward in 1963.

Rijul Baath contributed to this report