Queen’s Speech may clash with festive break
BORIS JOHNSON’S proposed date for the Queen’s Speech would fall on the day the monarch usually departs for her festive break at Sandringham.
The Queen, 93, often travels to her Norfolk estate on the Thursday before Christmas, having hosted a family lunch for the royals at Buckingham
Palace that week. Downing Street said Mr Johnson would call for a Queen’s Speech to take place on Thursday December 19 with “reduced ceremonial elements” if he remains Prime Minister after the General Election.
A spokesman said: “Should this Prime Minister return, the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech will follow on Thursday December 19.
“The state opening of Parliament will take place with reduced ceremonial elements, as was the case following the early general election in 2017.
“This is due both to the early General Election and the proximity of the state opening to Christmas.”
The Queen does not usually return to London until after the February 6 anniversary of her accession, which she usually spends in private at Sandringham, reflecting on the anniversary of her father George VI’s death.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said of the plans for a December 19 state opening: “It might impact minorly.”
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson trimmed a sheep and served beef and lamb baps as he got stuck into country life at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, in Llanelwedd.
The Prime Minister took a pair of scissors to a North Country Cheviot sheep as he toured the agricultural show in the marginal Brecon and Radnorshire constituency.
Mr Johnson served several beef and lamb baps at a food stall.