Prince Charles stands in for ailing queen in Parliament
Prince Charles yesterday opened the British Parliament, stepping in for Queen Elizabeth II, whose health problems forced her to miss the event for the first time in almost 60 years.
The State Opening of Parliament is a political set piece, where the monarch lays out the bills the government will introduce in the months ahead. The queen was understood to have watched on television from Windsor Castle.
The Prince of Wales, delivering the speech on his mother’s behalf for the first time, said government priorities included tackling rising inflation and enhancing global security.
He promised that in “challenging times” the government would continue to support the people of Ukraine.
Queen Elizabeth, 96, pulled out of the event, a major ceremonial date in her calendar, because she is suffering from “episodic mobility problems”.
The issues are said to be a continuation of the problems the queen has suffered since late last year.
It is only the third time during her reign that she has not opened Parliament, and the first time in 59 years.
The exceptions were in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward. On each occasion her speech was read by the Lord Chancellor.
Prince William, second in line to the throne after his father, Prince Charles, attended the occasion for the first time.
The Prince of Wales said the government’s priority was to “grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families”.
Action would be taken to prevent “dangerous and illegal Channel crossings” and tackle the criminal gangs who profit from such journeys.
“Reforms to education will help every child fulfil their potential, wherever they live,” the prince said.
The government, he said, would “lead the way in championing security around the world”, working with Nato and addressing the “most pressing global security challenges”.