Prince Charles and Prince William attend historic State Opening of Parliament
Prince Charles has delivered the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in the UK.
Charles had never delivered the speech before, with Her Majesty missing the event for the first time in 59 years due to "mobility problems".
It also marks the first time Prince William has attended the State Opening of Parliament.
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Prince Charles (centre) and Prince William (left) attend a historic State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday AP
Prince Charles delivered the Queen's Speech for the very first time after Her Majesty sat out the event for the first time in 59 years Ben Stansall / POOL / AFP
The Duke of Cambridge was there not as future king but as a Counsellor of State, which is one of four senior members of the royal family who is authorised to carry out official duties on behalf of the monarch in her absence.
The Queen's Imperial State Crown and sceptre made their way by car from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Westminster and arrived at the Sovereign's Entrance shortly before Prince William.
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Prince Charles arrived with wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who sat to his left in Parliament as the Prince of Wales delivered a number of announcements in the monarch's name.
It also marks the first time Prince William has attended the State Opening of Parliament. AP
Prince Charles arrived with wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at the Sovereign's Entrance ahead of the State Opening of Parliament at Houses of Parliament on May 10, 2022 in London, England AP
Prime Minister Boris Johnson watched on as the royal set out the government's agenda for the year ahead to a packed House of Lords.
Prince Charles, Camilla and Prince William then left Parliament via the Sovereign's Entrance, passing the Coldstream Guards as the national anthem 'God Save the Queen' played.
It's only the third time Her Majesty has missed the State Opening of Parliament - previously in 1959 and 1963, when the monarch was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, respectively.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrives at the Sovereign's Entrance ahead of the State Opening of Parliament at Houses of Parliament on May 10, 2022 in London, England. Getty
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives at the Sovereign's Entrance ahead of the State Opening of Parliament at Houses of Parliament on May 10, 2022 in London, England. Getty
On both those occasions, it was The Lord Chancellor - Viscount Kilmuir in 1959 and Lord Dilhorne in 1963 - who read out the Queen's Speech to Parliament.
Buckingham Palace announced on Monday the Queen's decision not to attend the event, after careful consideration and advice from doctors amid ongoing health concerns.
"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," the statement said.
The Queen's crown and sceptre made their way by car from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Westminster AP Photo/Frank Augstein
"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."
The State Opening of Parliament formally marks the beginning of the new session of Parliament.
It's only the third time Her Majesty has missed the State Opening of Parliament - previously in 1959 and 1963 (Pictured: in 2016) PA/AAP
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