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Queen Elizabeth is to miss the state opening of the UK's parliament for only the third time in her reign.
The 96-year-old monarch, who is experiencing mobility issues, will not read the queen’s speech on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace said. The Prince of Wales will read it on her behalf.
As Charles takes on the UK head of state’s major constitutional duty for the first time, the move - believed to be unprecedented in modern history - will be interpreted as a significant shift in his responsibilities as a king in waiting.
The queen’s speech will be read by the prince after a new letters patent, authorised by the queen, was issued that delegated the royal function of opening a new session of parliament to the counsellors of state.
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The Duke of Cambridge will also attend the state opening, as a counsellor of state.
As opening parliament is a core constitutional responsibility of the monarch, the letters patent had to be issued to delegate that responsibility to two counsellors of state. There are currently four counsellors of state: Charles, William, Andrew and Harry.
No other functions have been delegated by the queen. The Duchess of Cornwall will also attend, although she is not a counsellor of state.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace 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.”
A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister fully respects the wishes of Her Majesty and is grateful to the Prince of Wales for agreeing to deliver the speech on her behalf.”
The mobility problems are said to be a continuation of those the Queen has experienced since the autumn.
The queen has opened every session of parliament since her accession in 1952, except in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward respectively.
On those two occasions, the sessions were opened by the lords commissioners, while the lord chancellor read the queen’s speech.
- Guardian