Prince Charles gives Parliament speech
Prince Charles gave a short speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who missed the annual ceremony for the first time in nearly 60 years due to mobility issues.
The 73-year-old Charles, who is next in line to the British throne, said the government would “grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families” during his address as he introduced 38 new legislative bills.
Tuesday’s ceremony at the Palace of Westminster in London marked the first time Charles has given the speech, which was penned by the government, at the opening of Parliament.
It’s only the third time Queen Elizabeth hasn’t attended the ceremony during her 70-year reign as British monarch.
Buckingham Palace announced Monday that the queen wouldn’t be present at the annual event, saying she “continues to experience episodic mobility problems, and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided that she will not attend.”
Queen Elizabeth requested that
Charles read the speech on her behalf. He was granted approval to do so by “the relevant authorities,” the palace said.
Also in attendance Tuesday were Charles’ wife, Camilla, and eldest son, Prince William, as well as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who addressed the impact that the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have had on the economy. “No government can realistically shield everyone from the impact,” Johnson said.
Queen Elizabeth last missed the opening of parliament in 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Edward. The only other year that she didn’t attend was 1959, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew.
The queen, who turned 96 last month, has scaled back her public appearances recently. She attended a thanksgiving service for her late husband, Prince Philip, in March, but didn’t go to any royal events for Easter last month.
She celebrated the 70th anniversary of her reign in February. Queen Elizabeth tested positive for COVID-19 later that month and canceled several virtual engagements as she recovered, but returned to work in early March.