A first in nearly sixty years. But above all, yet another blow for Queen Elizabeth II. It was an emotional Prince Charles who replaced the monarch at the reading of the Queen’s speech after Her Majesty, 96, was forced to miss this major event for health reasons. His troubles continue and in particular the “mobility issues“, which cause him to miss his schedule. The heir to the throne eyed the crown before announcing Boris Johnson’s 38 new bills for the year ahead to properly punish environmental ‘hooligans’, capitalize on Brexit and ensure Britons can pay their bills.
Elizabeth II was unable to deliver this traditional speech from the throne in the British Parliament this Tuesday, May 10, 2022, but was able to count on his son Charles. It is only twice that the monarch has missed this event, in 70 years of reign. She was absent in 1959 and 1963, whenshe was pregnant. And this is the first time that she has been replaced at short notice by her son, the Prince of Wales. “The Queen continues to have episodic mobility issues and, after consultation with her doctors, has decided reluctantly not to participate in the throne speech“, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday, May 9, 2022.
Prince William with his father
It’s the first time a member of the Royal Family has delivered the Queen’s Speech on her behalf, and to be sure throughout the speech, William and Harry’s father made reference to the “Her Majesty’s Government“. His looks at his mother’s crown spoke volumes about his thoughts going straight to her. It is of course the greatest symbol of power and authority for the British people. If Elizabeth II could not to be present, her crown was taken there by Prince Charles in a limo with the jeweler. As for Her Majesty, she was able to follow the event on her television. She was able to see her son supported by her grandson Prince William. The husband of Kate Middleton, future heir to the throne of England, also arrived at his very first official opening of Parliament about five minutes before his father. Camilla Parker Bowles was also present.