The British Queen Elizabeth (96) will not be at the traditional opening of the parliamentary year tomorrow due to health reasons. She will also not deliver the British Speech from the Queen, the Queen’s Speech.
Her son Charles takes over that task for her. In the speech from the throne, the queen normally tells, among other things, which laws will be discussed and she explains foreign policy.
It is the first time since 1963 that Elizabeth has missed the opening of the parliamentary year. At the time, she was pregnant with Prince Edward. Four years earlier, she was also not present when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew. Elizabeth has been on the British throne since 1952 and is therefore celebrating her 70th anniversary this year, also known as her Platinum Jubilee.
Buckingham Palace says the Queen is suffering from “mobility problems”. After consulting her doctors, she “hesitantly” decided not to give an acte de presence.
Hardly appeared in public
Earlier this year, Elizabeth was also unable to attend church services around Easter due to the same problems. She was at Westminster Abbey at the end of March at the memorial service from her husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. That was her first public appearance in months.
Last week it was also announced that Elizabeth will not be attending the traditional this year garden parties† They are held at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s residence in Scotland.
Elizabeth decided a few years ago not to wear the Imperial State Crown during the Queen’s Speech, because of the weight of more than two kilos.
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