According to the AFP agency, Queen Elizabeth II will be absent from the opening session of the British Parliament, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts to revitalize his struggling government by unveiling plans for the upcoming year. The queen typically presides over the annual event and delivers her government's legislative program in a speech read in the House of Lords. However, she will not attend the ceremony this time, as announced by Buckingham Palace yesterday due to her difficulties in mobility.
The royal palace stated, "The queen continues to experience occasional mobility issues, and in consultation with her doctors, she has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the official opening of Parliament." The queen has rarely appeared in public since spending a night in the hospital last October, and she has complained of difficulties standing and walking, in addition to having contracted COVID-19.
The statement added, "At Her Majesty's request and with the agreement of the relevant parties, the Prince of Wales will read the queen's speech on her behalf." Queen Elizabeth II has missed the opening session of the British Parliament only twice during her reign: once in 1959 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew, and once in 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Edward.
The queen's decision on Monday raised concerns about her ability to attend the celebrations next month marking the 70th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Her absence from the session overshadowed the news of the opening of a new parliamentary session.
