It is written by the elected government, currently led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and is read out to a joint meeting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The speech is delivered during the formal opening of each session of Parliament and lays out the government’s legislative program.

“I think the emphasis here was clearly on continuity, a symbolic presence of Elizabeth II, if not a physical presence, and also what the future will likely look like,” said Ed Owens, a royal historian and author of “The Family Firm: Monarchy, Mass Media and the British Public 1932-1953.” What is the Queen’s Speech? It was, in essence, all about the dynasty. He was flanked by his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, and his son, Prince William. Charles, wearing the uniform of an admiral of the fleet, glittered in gold braid rather than sweeping ermine robes.

Her throne had been removed, but in its place the Imperial State Crown sat propped on a pillow. The choreography of the day emphasized a queen who was absent and yet still present. The queen’s decision to delegate her role to Charles is likely to be seen by the public as evidence that a transition is underway, with the 96-year-old monarch remaining on the throne but turning over more responsibilities to her eldest son. READ MORE: British royal family memorializes late Prince Philip The event is a symbol of the monarch’s constitutional role as head of state and is accompanied by centuries of tradition designed to demonstrate the strength of Britain’s political institutions. LONDON (AP) - Queen Elizabeth II delegated one of her most important public duties to Prince Charles on Tuesday, underscoring the increasingly central role the heir to the throne is taking as his mother prepares to celebrate 70 years on the throne.Ĭharles presided over the state opening of Parliament and delivered the Queen’s Speech laying out the government’s legislative program.

Braid queen