For the very first time, the
Duke of Cambridge will attend the State Opening of Parliament in Her Majesty’s
absence. He is set to accompany his father, Prince Charles and
stepmother, the Duchess of Cornwall.
With the Queen’s permission,
heir-to-the-throne Charles will also deliver the speech on her behalf.
Prince William is attending
the event as a Counsellor of State – a senior member of the royal family who is
able to act on behalf of the monarch.
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Prince Charles will deliver the Queen’s speech on her behalf
It is the first time in 59
years that Her Majesty will miss the State Opening, which is held at the Palace
of Westminster. The last time she was unable to attend was in 1963 when she was
pregnant with her youngest child, Prince Edward.
The news was confirmed on Monday,
with a Buckingham Palace spokesperson stating: “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.
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It is the first time the monarch has been unable to attend since 1963
“At Her Majesty’s
request, and with the agreement of the relevant authorities, The Prince of
Wales will read The Queen’s speech on Her Majesty’s behalf, with The Duke of
Cambridge also in attendance.”
Noticeably absent from the
State Opening will be William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge.
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The Duchess of Cambridge will spend the day in Manchester
Kate will instead be many
miles away attending the official opening of the Manchester Arena bombing memorial
ahead of the fifth anniversary of the terror attack. The mother-of-three will
join bereaved families at a private ceremony. Prince William will then join her
later on in the day.
It comes just four weeks ahead
of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It is hoped that the monarch will
be able to attend some of the many events scheduled to take place over the four
days.
