The Queen will not be making an appearance at tomorrow's State Opening of Parliament. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "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 tomorrow.
"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, with The Duke of Cambridge also in attendance." According to the Mirror, a royal source says: “The decision was taken today.”
The Palace says the Queen has a busy diary this week with a call with Australia undertaken today, a planned Privy Council and PM audience, virtual and by phone, on Wednesday. She is expected to undertake some private engagements later in the week
The Letters Patent authorised by Her Majesty delegate to Counsellors of State the Royal function of opening a new session of Parliament. In this instance, it enables The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Cambridge to jointly exercise that function. No other functions have been delegated by Her Majesty. It will be the first time Prince William attends the annual ceremony.
