Prince Charles had a glimpse into the future today, as he delivered his first speech at the State Opening of Parliament after The Queen's episodic mobility problems prevented her from attending the 68th annual event. Today, the Prince of Wales, who often attends the big day alongside his mother, assumed, for the first time in a fully formal context, the responsibilities of a monarch.
In the company of his wife, The Duchess of Cornwall, and his son, The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Charles seated onlookers, which included the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet members and Labour frontbenchers, as he read his mother's speech. The speech, written by the Government, outlined the plan for the year ahead.
As Prince Charles began reading out the list of plans that the Government had for the upcoming year, he looked up down at the sheet of paper and delivered the speech in what some have called a 'deadpan' voice. Newsnight editor Lewis Goodall claimed that, when the Prince of Wales mentioned the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, it was one of the only times he didn't sound 'completely deadpan'.
