- The British heir to the throne, Prince Charles (73), read the government declaration in Parliament in London for the first time.
- The so-called “Queen’s Speech” traditionally heralds a new session of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
- The Queen had previously had to cancel at short notice due to mobility issues.
It is the first time in 59 years that Queen Elizabeth II (96) cannot attend the so-called State Opening of Parliament. It is expected that the now frail monarch will continue to leave the task to her son in the future.
In the British media there was already talk of the beginning of a de facto prince regency under Charles. The Prince of Wales, who wore an admiral’s uniform, was accompanied by his wife Duchess Camilla (74) and his eldest son Prince William (39).
Next to Charles, who was seated on the magnificent throne, the glittering state crown – called the Imperial State Crown – was placed on a small table. For the State Opening of Parliament, Members of both Houses of Parliament – MPs and Lords – gather in the House of Lords.
Laws on climate crisis and rising costs planned
Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labor Party leader Keir Starmer watched the speech in silence from the back of the House of Lords Chamber. The British royal family remains neutral on political issues. It is only a symbolic act that the government declaration is read out by the monarch as head of state.
Among other things, laws are planned to cushion the consequences of rising living costs, to deal with the climate crisis and to move Great Britain further away from the European Union.