Queen Elizabeth II skips Parliament opening for 3rd time in 70-year reign due to mobility issues
USA TodayFeb 08, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II Misses Opening of Parliament Over Mobility Issues
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Image copyright: Getty Images [via The Independent]
The Facts
Prince Charles read the Queen's speech to the House of Lords during the Opening of Parliament on Tues. for the first time, in place of the monarch. Prince William also attended the event for the first time to accompany his father.
This came after Buckingham Palace announced on Mon. that the Queen would not attend the constitutional ceremony due to continuing "episodic mobility problems."
In the speech, Prince Charles set out the legislation the government plans to introduce in the upcoming year, including bills on education, animal welfare, transport, and providing greater economic opportunity to poorer regions.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Duty is everything to the Queen - who has devoted her life to Britain and the Commonwealth - and the decision to miss the state opening was unparalleled. Nevertheless, it has given Prince Charles the opportunity to demonstrate he can be relied upon, as he takes over more and more duties in preparation for the future transition of the monarchy.
Establishment-critical narrative
The monarchy does not provide value-for-money. The hidden costs behind the royal family rack up to around £345M annually for British taxpayers - this is a huge waste of money, especially in the face of current economic hardship, and an extravagance that should be abolished.
