Queen to miss state opening of UK parliament and Queen’s speech due to health concerns

The Queen has cancelled yet another event due to health concerns but this time it’s one of the most important which she hasn’t missed in six decades.

There will be fresh concerns for the Queen’s health after Buckingham Palace announced the monarch will miss two of her most prestigious annual events which are a key part of her constitutional role.

For the first time in almost 60 years the Queen will not attend the state opening of the British parliament scheduled for Tuesday. That means she also won’t read the Queen’s Speech which sets out the Government’s legislative agenda. Prince Charles will deliver the speech instead.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during the State Opening of Parliament in London in 2019. Picture: Paul Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II on her way to her first State Opening of Parliament as monarch, 4th November 1952. Picture: Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The 96-year-old monarch has skipped a number of events in recent months after reported issue with walking.

But there had been hopes that she would be able to attend the ceremony. Held in the Houses of Parliament in London, she has been a part of proceedings every year since 1963.

However, national broadcaster the BBC has said it had received a statement for Buckingham Palace stating that doctors had concerns for her due to “episode mobility problems”.

She has also recently missed some Easter religious services and it’s been announced that she won’t attend any of her garden parties, when royal residences invite in the public for picnics and to mingle with the royals. Instead, other members of the royal family will deputise.

In the coming weeks the Queen will mark her platinum jubilee, celebrating 70 years of her being on the throne. She is the longest ever reigning British monarch and the longest serving female head of state anywhere in the world.

It is hoped the Queen will be able to attend several of the events held in her honour on jubilee weekend in early June.