Charles steps in to open parliament

Prince Charles was due to stand in for his 96-year-old mother at Tuesday’s ceremonial opening of the British parliament, Buckingham Palace said, citing the monarch’s mobility issues.

“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,” the palace said in a statement on the eve of the pomp-filled event.

“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.”

The palace added that the Queen’s eldest grandson, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and next in the line of succession, would also attend the ceremony.

As head of state, the Queen usually presides over the annual event, reading out her government’s legislative program in an address from a gilded throne in the House of Lords.

She has missed only two state openings during her record-breaking 70-year reign – in 1959 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then again 1963 when she was expecting Prince Edward.

She has cut back on numerous public appearances in recent months, and last week the palace announced she will not attend this summer’s royal garden parties, usually a feature in her diary.