Queen Elizabeth sat alone at State Opening of Parliament, but Prince Philip's death isn't the reason why

Queen Elizabeth II cast a lonely figure as she sat solo at the State Opening of Parliament, her first major ceremonial duty since Prince Philip's death.

The monarch delivered her 67th Queen's Speech from the Lords Chamber inside the Palace of Westminster on May 11 with no one by her side, the consort's throne removed.

The Duke of Edinburgh usually sat in the consort's throne.

It's believed to be the first time in more than 60 years that the consort's throne was not present.

But the reason for its absence is understood to be unrelated to Prince Philip's death.

The duke died at Windsor Castle on April 9, aged 99.

When he retired from official duties in August, 2017, the consort's throne was occupied by Prince Charles.

The Prince of Wales has begun accompanying his mother to the State Opening of Parliament in recent years.

The consort's throne doesn't stay at Westminster. Rather, it remains under the care of the Lord Great Chamberlain at Houghton Hall, Norfolk.

But this year, due to coronavirus restrictions remaining in place across England, the consort's throne did not make the journey to London

Because Prince Charles was seated separately near his mother and "mindful of avoiding unnecessary travel, it was felt, exceptionally, that the throne was not needed on this occasion" royal sources have said, reports The Telegraph UK.

In 1958, Prince Philip sat a short distance away from the Queen on a chair instead of the consort's throne.

The Prince of Wales walked with his mother into the chamber before being seated to his left alongside Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

For the third time the sovereign chose not to wear the heavy Imperial State Crown, instead it was placed on a cushion next to her.

Queen Elizabeth didn't wear ceremonial robes either, opting for a day dress designed by her close confident and senior dresser Angela Kelly.

Her Majesty wore day dress at the last opening of parliament in late 2019.

The Queen wore her Art Deco aquamarine and diamond clip brooches, made by Boucheron, and given to her by her father King George VI for her 18th birthday.

The monarch did not wear a mask but everyone else in attendance did. The ceremony took place with 74 socially distanced guests in the main chamber with an additional 34 peers and MPs watching from the Royal Gallery.