Watch live as Prince Charles attends state opening of parliament
Prince Charles has begun his address to Parliament as he delivers the Queen’s Speech.
Standing in for the Queen, Charles told Parliament: “Her Majesty’s Government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services.
“This will be underpinned by a responsible approach to the public finances, reducing debt while reforming and cutting taxes.”
The monarch, 96, reluctantly pulled out of the major ceremonial occasion following advice from her royal doctors as she continues to experience “episodic mobility problems”.
Talking to GB News, policing minister Kit Malthouse claimed there would be “assertive new measures” that would “dynamise our economy” and “drive it forward”, following repeated criticism that the government was not doing enough to help households cope.
The Duchess of Cornwall will also accompany Charles, but the Queen’s main throne will remain empty in the House of Lords. The monarch is understood to be watching the proceedings on television from Windsor Castle.
The Queen last missed the state openings of parliament in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward.
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