Queen plans to attend State Opening of Parliament next week

Queen plans to attend State Opening of Parliament next week
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 06/05/2022

- 09:01

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:33

The Queen plans to attend the State Opening of Parliament next week, Buckingham Palace has said

The monarch is aiming to deliver her speech, which sets out the Government’s policies and proposed legislation for the new session on Tuesday.

But Her Majesty, who has been experiencing mobility issues, will confirm her attendance on the day.


The 96-year-old has cut back on several engagements in recent months.

The Queen has opened Parliament annually throughout her reign, missing it only twice in 1959 and 1963 – when she was pregnant.

If she is unable to attend this year, it is likely Prince Charles will step in.

It comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen will not attend any garden parties this year.

Garden parties will be staged from next week for the first time in three years.

They are important events in the royal calendar as those who have served their country or communities are invited to the monarch’s home.

A spokesman said: “Her Majesty The Queen will be represented by other members of the royal family at this year’s garden parties, with details on attendance to be confirmed in due course.”

The Queen attended a service commemorating the life of Prince Philip in March with senior royals and a congregation of hundreds.

She reached her Platinum Jubilee in February, overcame a bout of Covid after testing positive that month, and celebrated her 96th birthday privately on April 21 at her Sandringham estate.

Last October, the Queen spent a night in hospital.

She spent the following three months under doctors’ orders to only conduct light duties and missed a number of prominent events.

File photo dated 14/10/2019 of Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. The Queen has used her Platinum Jubilee message to the nation to back the Duchess of Cornwall as Queen Camilla, shaping the future of the monarchy on her historic milestone. Issue date: Sunday February 6, 2022.
The Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla at the State Opening of Parliament in 2019
Victoria Jones

The Queen
The Queen
Dominic Lipinski

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