A played-down Queen’s Speech
THE Queen opened Parliament yesterday without the traditional ceremony.
She arrived by car and did not don her usual robes of state.
The decision to dispense with pomp was taken because Mrs May’s snap election did not leave enough time to plan and rehearse.
The Queen was also determined not to miss a minute of the Royal Ascot races where she later attended.
The “dressed down” occasion did not take place without the crown, however. It arrived at Parliament by car and was carried in and set on a table. Charles stood in for Philip at his mother’s side.