？
Close
Queen to miss state opening of parliament, Prince Charles to deliver speech instead
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge will open Parliament on the Queen’s behalf in a historic, unprecedented move which will see Charles read the Queen’s Speech.
The monarch, 96, reluctantly pulled out of the major ceremonial occasion for the first time in 59 years following advice from her royal doctors as she continues to experience “episodic mobility problems”.
It will be William’s first state opening - and the royal function of opening a new parliament has been delegated to both Charles and William by the Queen.
The Duchess of Cornwall, a future Queen Consort, will also accompany Charles, but the Queen’s main throne will remain empty in the House of Lords.
The Queen last missed the state openings of parliament in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward. Her speech was read by the Lord Chancellor.
Elsewhere, Labour sources were described as “confident” they can prove Sir Keir Starmer did not break lockdown rules after he vowed to resign if he is fined by police, and the party has prepared a dossier of evidence to support his case.
Recommended Queen to miss state opening of parliament over mobility issues Charles likely to be ‘honoured’ to read Queen’s Speech at parliament opening Beergate: Labour ‘to present evidence to police proving Starmer didn’t break rules’ It will be the DUP – not Sinn Fein – that breaks up the UK
Key points Queen to miss the state opening of Parliament Labour believes Starmer can prove he did not break lockdown rules The Queen’s Speech to Parliament – what to expect and what bills will be discussed
Show latest update 1652168156 Beergate- Former Labour advisor says Labour leader is taking a ‘big gamble’
Ayesha Hazarika, Former Labour Advisor has said Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to resign if fined over Beergate is a “big gamble”.
Speaking to Sky News she said: “He’s really putting his career on the line, he’s putting his political ambitions on the line.
“I think it is quite unsual to see someone say ‘No, I will take responsability if I am found to be done wrong- I will fall on my sword’.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 08:35
1652167938 The Queen’s Speech to Parliament – what to expect and what bills will be discussed
The Government will set out its plans for new laws in a speech delivered by the Queen to MPs and peers this week today.
The Prince of Wales, on behalf of the Queen, will read the agenda-setting speech as part of the formal state opening of Parliament.
The speech is written by ministers and details the Government’s plans for new laws.
My colleague David Lynch takes you through all you need to know about what to expect in today’s speech:
The Queen’s Speech to Parliament – what to expect and what bills will be discussed The speech will set out forthcoming priorities for the Government.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 08:32
1652167556 Policing minister says ‘it with great sadness’ the Queen will miss today’s speech
Home Office Minister Kit Malthouse has said “it is with great sadness” that the Queen will not be able to deliver her speech today at state opening of Parliament.
He said on LBC this morning:“We hope that her temporary mobility problems are overcome in time for the Jubilee and indeed for the Queen’s speech in the next session which will be in a year or so.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 08:25
1652167076 Beergate- Labour MP says Starmer’s promise to resign if fined shows difference between him and prime minister
Labour MP Bridget Phillipson has said Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to resign if he is found to have broken lockdown rules is the “right thing to do”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the shadow education secretary drew a contrast between the Labour leader and the Prime Minister.
She said: “I just think it’s the right thing to do.
“Keir Starmer is a man of principle, a man of decency and integrity, and he set out his position very clearly that in the event he’s found to have broken the law, and I don’t believe he will be found to have broken the law, but in the event that happens, he would resign.
“Then you look at Boris Johnson, the rime minister who has been found to have broken the law and still he’s ploughing on as if nothing’s ever happened.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 08:17
1652166656 Cost of living crisis to be addressed in today’s Queen speech
Policing minister Kit Malthouse has said the cost of living crisis will be addressed in today’s speech at the state opening of Parliament.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: “We have to bear in mind that we can’t spend our way out of this problem, we have to grow the economy, and so looking towards growth will be key.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 08:10
1652166056 Tory MP says Durham police will meet ‘high standards’ in investigating Starmer over alleged Beergate
Policing minister Kit Malthouse has said Durham Constabulary will meet “high standards” regardless of any alleged pressure on them as they investigate Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer over a possible breach of Covid rules.
Mr Malthouse told Sky News: “Durham police will operate professionally to the high standards we expect of them irrespective of what the external goings-on are around this case.
“We need to leave them the space and time to do their job.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 08:00
1652165456 Labour minister calls Sir Keir Starmer ‘a man of integrity and honour'
Labour’s shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson has described party leader Sir Keir Starmer as “a man of integrity and a man of honour”.
On Mr Starmer’s promise to resign as Labour leader if he is fined over Beergate, Ms Phillipson told BBC Breakfast: “I think it was a principled decision by Keir Starmer, I think he’s demonstrated that he’s a man of integrity and a man of honour who will always seek to do the right thing by the country.”
She said she is confident he has not broken any rules, adding: “We know, of course, that the Prime Minister broke the law and has still failed to resign.
“I think the contrast there between Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson is very stark and very striking.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 07:50
1652164856 Policing minister says he is ‘alarmed’ at Bank of England inflation predictions
Policing minister Kit Malthouse has acknowledged Government “alarm” at predictions of soaring inflation but downplayed hopes of rapid help in the Queen’s Speech.
He told Sky News: “As far as the cost-of-living crisis is concerned, it is incredibly challenging for people out there at the moment.
“Obviously, legislation takes some time to put in place, it has to go through both Houses, it can often be many months, sometimes over a year, before it hits the statute book.
“I do know the Prime Minister and Chancellor are in constant conversation about how we can be agile in assisting people through this challenging time.”
Mr Malthouse added: “We look with alarm at the predictions the Bank of England have made just in the last week or so of inflation peaking towards the end of the year and we will have to think carefully about what our response to that might be.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 07:40
1652164090 Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge to open Parliament in place of Queen today
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge will open Parliament on the Queen’s behalf in a historic, unprecedented move which will see Charles read the Queen’s Speech.
The monarch, 96, reluctantly pulled out of the major ceremonial occasion - nearly 60 years after she last missed it - following advice from her royal doctors as she continues to experience “episodic mobility problems”.
As Charles, 73, takes on the head of state’s major constitutional duty for the first time, the move will be interpreted as a symbolic and significant shift in his responsibilities as a future monarch.
It will be William’s first state opening - and the royal function of opening a new parliament has been delegated to both Charles and William by the Queen.
The Duchess of Cornwall, a future Queen Consort, will also accompany Charles, but the Queen’s main throne will remain empty in the House of Lords.
The decision was taken on Monday, and the Queen’s mobility issues are said to be a continuation of the problems she has suffered since the autumn.
A new Letters Patent authorised by the Queen was issued to cover the State Opening delegating to Counsellors of State the royal function of opening a new session of Parliament.
In this instance, it enables Charles and William to jointly exercise that function. No other functions have been delegated by the Queen.
The Queen last missed a state opening of parliament in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward, when her speech was read by the Lord Chancellor.
The Queen’s Speech is written by the Government and sets out its agenda for Parliament’s new session.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 07:28
1652163659 ICYMI- Queen to miss state opening of parliament over mobility issues today
The Queen has pulled out of the state opening of parliament on Tuesday due to ongoing mobility troubles.
Her throne will remain empty while Prince Charles delivers the speech in her place, Buckingham Palace said.
The palace said in a statement: “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.”
My colleague Liam James reports:
Queen to miss state opening of parliament over mobility issues Monarch continues to stay away from in-person events
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 10 May 2022 07:20
Newer 1 / 2 Older