UNITED KINGDOM – “Historic moment” in the United Kingdom: Prince Charles gave the traditional speech from the throne in Parliament on Tuesday, May 10, in place of his mother Elizabeth II, the queen having given up on the advice of her doctors.
Bringing a new sign of the transition underway for the British monarchy under the effect of the health problems of the nonagenarian sovereign, it was Prince Charles who arrived in Parliament while the anthem “God Save the Queen” sounded. The 73-year-old heir to the crown, in a decorated uniform, then read, on behalf of the Queen, the speech setting out the government’s program at the opening of the parliamentary session.
He sat on the throne reserved for the consort, once used by his father Prince Philip, and symbolically smaller than that of the monarch. On her right, the space usually reserved for the sovereign’s throne had been left empty. Alongside Charles was also his wife Camilla, 74, as well as his eldest son, Prince William, 39, who was present for the first time. Further proof of a change of generations taking place.
The crown placed on a cushion
It is only the third time in her 70-year reign that the 96-year-old head of state has missed this solemn appointment of British democracy. Pregnant, she had been absent in 1959 and 1963.
It is also the first time that the Prince of Wales, who has already represented her abroad for several years and is taking a growing place, replaces her. As a symbol, the crown of Elizabeth II was placed on a cushion in front of Prince Charles during the entirety of his speech.
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The Queen had long hoped to attend before Buckingham Palace announced on Monday evening that she had « reluctantly decided not to take part in the Speech from the Throne », due to her « episodic mobility problems ».
Signs for the DailyMailthat the Queen “is still really in charge”: “But make no mistake, this is a historic moment for the Crown”.
His absence raises questions about his participation in early June at the platinum jubilee celebrations, marking his 70 years of reign.
Last week, the Queen warned that she would not be attending this summer’s royal garden parties at Buckingham Palace. Her most recent public appearance was at the March 29 memorial service for her late husband, Prince Philip, who died aged 99 last year.
Win back voters
On the political level, this speech marks the will for Boris Johnson to revive, a few days after heavy setbacks in the local elections.
The speech opened with a promise to « strengthen the economy and help help the cost of living » in the face of soaring prices hitting households, with millions of Britons who no longer eat their fill.
The text includes measures likely to appeal to the conservative base, in particular laws intended to reduce red tape after the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, which became fully effective last year.
The government also wants to prevent the “guerrilla techniques” of groups like Extinction Rebellion, hated by its base, which demonstrated by blocking roads or public transport “harming hard-working people, costing millions of free public money. taxpayers and putting lives at risk”.
In order to be able to deport foreign criminals more easily, the government wants to modify the legislation relating to human rights.
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