“The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility issues and, after consulting her physician, has reluctantly decided that she will not participate in the State Opening of Parliament,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. Instead, his son and crown prince, Carlos, will read a speech in which the Government details its priorities for the parliamentary year that begins.

In addition to the Prince of Wales, the Queen’s grandson, William, Duke of Cambridge, will also be present at the ceremony. During his nearly 70 years of rule, the ruler only missed this appointment – which takes place annually and in which he reads out a speech prepared by the Executive with the Government’s parliamentary priorities for the year – on two occasions: in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, respectively.

Until the very last moment, her presence was in doubt as Elizabeth II’s wish was to participate in the speech, although it has been announced that Prince Charles will be her successor if needed.

The ceremony, which brought together the Commons and Lords – the lower and upper houses of the British Parliament – and took place with great pomp and procession, this year was especially so, because Prime Minister Boris Johnson has seen his eternity in power threatened for months, for the anger it has caused among its conservative ranks with its so-called “party gate”, a scandal of illegal parties being held at official residences during the 2020 and 2021 coronavirus confinement.

The queen’s public appearances are becoming less frequentthough it is hoped that he will be able to participate in some way in the splendor and circumstances that are planned for the first week of June, when his Platinum Jubilee will be commemorated, the 70th anniversary since he was enthroned, which makes him the longest-living king in history. from England.|