Queen’s Speech 2021: Her Majesty opens Parliament with first official ceremony since Prince Philip’s funeral

THE Queen has today opened Parliament in her first official ceremony since Prince Philip's funeral.

The dutiful 95-year-old monarch was supported by her son Prince Charles as she conducted the State Opening at the Palace of Westminster.

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The ceremony, which was pared down due to Covid, saw Her Majesty forgo her usual ceremonial robes - instead wearing a lilac outfit.

And despite her heartache at the death of Prince Philip last month, the Queen appeared calm and carried on with her duties. 

Since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, his seat - the Consort’s throne - was removed from the House of Lords, meaning the Queen sat alone on the golden Sovereign's throne.

And instead, the Queen's son Prince Charles walked alongside the monarch, holding her hand as she carefully made her way up the low steps in the House of Lords.

The future king, 72, then moved back and took his seat situated at the far side.

The ceremony marks the beginning of the parliamentary session, with the Queen's Speech setting out the Government's legislative plans.

The cream booklet containing the Queen's speech was placed on a table draped in an embroidered red and gold velvet covering, next to the monarch's throne.

Plans confirmed in the speech:

• A new online harms bill to keep kids safe online and slam Facebook and Google if they break the rules
• Extra cash for the army
• Fresh plans for a post-Covid crackdown on obesity
• Extra help to buy homes with a planning bill to rip up red tape and ground rents to be banned for new homes
• Lifetime deposits for renters moving home
• Protecting animals' feelings in law - with proposals to force cats to get microchipped and new legislation to meet eco goals
• Ripping up the Fixed Term Parliaments Act so the PM of the day can call an election when they want
• Fresh plans for voters to take ID to the polls in future
• Levelling up and extra skills for the North - with new plans for lifetime loans
• A new NHS bill to reform and update the health system
• Immigration laws to stop people crossing the channel in small boats
• New measures to crack down on foreign spies

Earlier today, the Queen was seen in her car leaving Windsor this morning as she made her way to her 67th opening of Parliament.

She then left Buckingham Palace in a convoy of cars, on her way to the state opening at the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster.

Her Majesty did not wearing ceremonial robes or a crown at the State Opening of Parliament - which is a "Covid appropriate" event.

She instead wore her day dress and hat - and travelled by car from Buckingham Palace, rather than by coach.

This morning, the 95-year-old sat calmly in her throne for what is her 67th Parliament opening.

Prince Charles and Camilla supported her, sitting off to the side as Prince Philip's seat, The Consort's throne, had been removed.

The Consort's throne, which was first installed in 1901 for Queen Alexandra, is now in the care of the Lord Great Chamberlain for safekeeping.

In her speech, Queen said the Government's priority is to "deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before".

Addressing Parliament from the throne in the House of Lords, she said: "My Government will level up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth, and addressing the impact of the pandemic on public services.

"My Government will protect the health of the nation, continuing the vaccination programme and providing additional funding to support the NHS."

While there was no specific legislation, "proposals on social care will be brought forward", she said.

Setting out Boris Johnson's programme, she said the Government would build on the success of the vaccination programme to "lead the world in life sciences" while there would be the "fastest ever increase in public funding for research and development".

The Government will address the problems of "lost learning" while children were kept away from school during the pandemic.

The Queen said: "Measures will be brought forward to ensure that children have the best start in life, prioritising their early years.

"My ministers will address lost learning during the pandemic and ensure every child has a high quality education and is able to fulfil their potential."

This is her first official appearance in public as the head of state since her beloved husband the Duke of Edinburgh died.

It is also the first of the Queen's engagements outside of Windsor Castle since Prince Philip passed away on April 9.

Today will also mark the second time she has been at Buckingham Palace since retreating to Windsor during the first lockdown last year.

Prince Philip retired from public duties in 2016 - but he spent decades accompanying the monarch to the grand occasion, sitting on an ornate golden throne at his wife's side.

Prince Charles has previously accompanied the Queen to the state opening in December 2019, October 2019 and June 2017 - and did so again today.

Prince Charles has previously sat on the consort's throne when accompanying the Queen.

But during today's Covid-secure ceremony, Charles sat with the Duchess of Cornwall on chairs of state - placed to the side.

The priceless Imperial State Crown left Buckingham Palace this morning - with other regalia making its way to the Palace of Westminster.

It is made of more than 3,000 gemstones and weighs two pounds and 13 ounces, and was carried to the state opening by car.

CROWN JEWEL

The Queen did not wear the heavy crown - the last time she did so was in 2016.

The State Opening of Parliament is usually the most colourful event of the parliamentary year and is steeped in tradition and customs dating back centuries.

But because of the pandemic, the pomp and ceremony has been reduced in 2021 to prevent any spread of coronavirus.

MPs and members of the House of Lords wore masks throughout unless they are exempt.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

All of those present took a Covid test beforehand and only be allowed to attend if they have a negative result.

Discussions took place with the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England to ensure the event was Covid-secure, with limited attendance, social distancing, masks, good hand hygiene and Covid testing incorporated into the proceedings.

One amendment is that the Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland will not hand the speech directly to the Queen as is usually the custom, but place it on a table instead.

The Duke of Edinburgh passed away "peacefully" of old age in April - signalling weeks of mourning across the country and within the Royal Family.

The royal passed away two months and one day short of what would have been his 100th birthday.

Radio stations immediately interrupted broadcasts with the news of his death and played the national anthem shortly after in a sign of respect.

The Royal Family gathered for a poignant final farewell to Philip on April 17 at a socially-distanced funeral service in St George's Chapel, with the Queen pictured sat alone as she grieved for her consort.

The monarch - who is the nation's longest-reigning monarch - was back at work just four days after Philip's death.

She held her first in-person event on April 13 - an audience and investiture with Earl Peel, who was relinquishing his role as Lord Chamberlain.

A day later she welcomed her new Lord Chamberlain, Baron Parker, who was overseeing Philip's funeral, at another Windsor ceremony.

And her first official public engagement since Philip's death was on April 27 as she held a virtual audience at Windsor.

The Queen, no longer in a black mourning outfit, was dressed in a pale blue floral dress which featured large purple, white and yellow flowers, with a three-string pearl necklace and a diamond brooch as accessories.

She was pictured on a computer screen smiling as she held two audiences with the ambassador from the Republic of Latvia, and the ambassador from the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, who were at Buckingham Palace.

Just yesterday, the Queen joked about her age in a video call released today as she spoke publicly for the first time since Philip's death.

She described feeling "very proud" at becoming the first young person to receive a lifesaving swimming badge from the Royal Life Saving Society - but quipped "that's terrible" when learning it was 80 years ago.