Why is the Queen not doing the Queen's Speech and what will happen instead?

The Queen is set to miss the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace has announced. Prince Charles will deliver the speech instead for the first time.

It comes after much speculation over whether the Queen would fulfil one of her major duties as head of state. Up until today, Buckingham Palace had said the Queen was expecting to deliver the speech, with confirmation of her attendance due on Tuesday morning. However, the Palace confirmed at around 6pm this evening that the monarch would not be attending the event.

The 96-year-old has been struggling with her mobility in recent weeks, and also caught coronavirus earlier in the year. The Queen has cancelled a number of high-profile engagements in recent months, often opting for virtual appearances rather than in-person meetings.

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

Here's what we know about why the Queen will miss today's State Opening of Parliament and what is likely to happen without her.

The Queen will not be attending the event on her doctor's orders, according to the Palace.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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." The episodic mobility issues are said to be a continuation of the problems the Queen has suffered since the autumn.

Last week, it was announced that the monarch, who celebrates 70 years on the throne this year, will miss the annual royal garden party season and be represented by other members of her family. The garden parties are being staged for the first time in three years and are important