Queen pulls out of State Opening of Parliament for first time in nearly 60 years

The Queen has pulled out of an appearance at the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow (May 10), it has been announced. The news was confirmed by Buckingham Palace, who said the Monarch will not attend the event for the first time in almost six decades, as she continues to experience 'mobility problems'.

On Monday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "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.

"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."

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The Queen is understood to have a busy diary at Windsor this week with a call with Australia undertaken on Monday, and a planned virtual Privy Council and phone audience with the Prime Minister on Wednesday. She is expected to undertake some private engagements later in the week.

The news that the Monarch has pulled out of her appearance will mark the first time since 1963 that the Queen will have missed this constitutional ceremony, which sets out the government's legislative plans. It comes as the 96-year-old has experienced mobility problems and had to cancel a number of appearances in recent months.

The thanksgiving service for deceased Prince Philip in March is so far the only public event outside of her royal residences that she has attended this year. A No 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister fully respects the wishes of Her Majesty and is grateful to the Prince of Wales for