Queen to miss UK parliament opening for first time since 1963

The ceremony, full of pomp and tradition, sees the monarch read out her government's proposed legislative agenda

Head of state Queen Elizabeth II will miss Tuesday's ceremonial opening of the UK parliament for the first time in nearly 60 years, handing the duty to her heir Prince Charles in a clear sign of the looming transition of power.

The 96-year-old monarch usually presides over the pomp-filled event and reads out her government's legislative programme from a gilded throne in the House of Lords.

It is the latest in a string of cancelled public appearances caused by health problems and old age indicating her record-breaking 70-year reign is drawing to a close.

The queen has rarely been seen in public since spending an unscheduled night in hospital last October, and has complained of difficulties standing and walking. She also contracted Covid-19 in February.

Her decision heightened fears that she may not be able to play a full part in public celebrations next month celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.

In changes to the Westminster ceremony, Charles, who is 73, will not wear the queen's imperial state crown even though he and Prince William will bring it by car, The Times reported.

Royal expert Robert Hardman wrote in the Daily Mail that the queen "remains very much in charge" but called the handover a "historic moment".

It will be William's first time attending the state opening, in another clear sign of the family preparing for a future beyond Elizabeth and Charles.

- 'Back on track' -

Reeling from a series of scandals and dire results for his ruling Conservatives in local elections last week, he is promising 38 bills to get his agenda "back on track", Downing Street said.

The upcoming parliamentary session -- the current government's third -- is one of Johnson's last opportunities to deliver on his key policy promises before the next general election due by May 2024.

Despite securing Britain's withdrawal from the EU with a comprehensive trade deal, the coronavirus pandemic upended delivery of his domestic agenda.

That saw Johnson become the first UK prime minister found to have broken the law while in office, after police ruled he and staff had breached Covid-19 lockdown rules.

But he faces a daunting challenge as the growing cost-of-living crisis begins to bite, with bleak economic forecasts.

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