Prince Charles to stand in for Queen at the state opening

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The Queen last year suffered from a bout of ill health which led her physicians to advise she step back from her busy agenda to recover. And only last month Her Majesty tested positive for coronavirus, resulting in additional cancellations as she recovered from the “mild symptoms” she was experiencing at the time. The Royal Family is now believed to be considering additional changes to the protocol to ensure Her Majesty is fully supported and is not unduly put under too much pressure as she prepares for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

Royal expert Camilla Tominey noted the Royal Family is now considering plans in the event of Her Majesty not feeling up to deliver her usual speech for the State Opening of Parliament.

Speaking to This Morning, she said: “It’s a Plan B but if anyone should stand in for her, technically, at the State Opening of Parliament, it should be the Lord Chancellor, not Prince Charles.

“When she stepped out in ’59, when she was pregnant with Andrew, and ’63, when she was pregnant with Edward, the Lord Chancellor took her place.

“So it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a contingency plan because at the moment, they are looking at the diary and deciding on the morning whether she’s up to the job.

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“May 10, obviously there’s some time before we get to that. They’re going to have to put plans in place.”

She continued: “They’ve already made concessions, she didn’t have to do as long a walk, she could use the lift, she doesn’t use all of the regalia.”

The Queen would be expected to deliver a speech to a joint session of Parliament on May 10 to set out the Government’s agenda for the next session.

Reports have now emerged suggesting the Prince of Wales is being considered to take over the delivery should Her Majesty feel unwell on the morning of the speech.

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A royal insider insisted the Queen is hoping to be able to attend the State Opening ceremony after having previously had to change her plans last minute.

They said: “The date is in Her Majesty’s diary, and she hopes to attend. The Queen remains fit and active, and it is amazing how much she still does.

“But her diary is being paced to reflect the realities of a woman of her age, and to ensure that she is able to continue to do as much as she can and would like to do.

“All events will now be scheduled so that if Her Majesty is unable to attend at short notice, another member of the Royal Family will still be present.”

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