Queen, 96, will MISS State Opening of Parliament for first time in 59 years

THE Queen is set to miss the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years today, The Sun can reveal.

Her Majesty, 96, made the tough decision not to attend due to her difficulties walking, this afternoon.

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Prince Charles, 72, is set to stand in for his mother at Parliament, following a conversation between the Queen and her aides.

Plans to drive the Queen 26 miles from her Windsor Castle home to Westminster, and use a lift to get into Parliament for the televised event, have now had to be scrapped.

This is the first time in 59 years that the Queen has failed to attend the State Opening of Parliament.

The only two times that the Queen hasn't opened Parliament during her reign were in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward respectively.

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Royal aides were prepared for the possibility that Her Majesty might pull out, and her son Charles' diary was kept clear just in case.

The Queen has been forced to pull out of a string of major engagements recently due to ailments said to be affecting her back, hips and knees.

Last month the Queen pulled out of an Easter event at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

For the first time, Charles and Camilla took her place at the Mandy Day church service, an annual fixture in the royal calendar.

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The Queen has been forced to pull out of several recent engagements following a number of health scares including a battle with Covid.

She missed March's Commonwealth Day ceremony due to concerns about her “comfort”.

The Head of State has also been seen using a walking stick over the last six months and in February told a visitor at Windsor Castle: “As you can see, I can’t move.”

But in March, Her Majesty received a £62,000 golf buggy to help her get around and fulfil future engagements.

And she walked unaided at a memorial service to her late husband Prince Philip on March 29.

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The monarch had strolled arm-in-arm with her "favourite" son Prince Andrew as the thanksgiving service began at Westminster Abbey.

But once she reached the end of the aisle, she detached herself from Andrew's elbow and confidently made the last few steps alone.