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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Forsey

Omid Djalili's awkward joke to Queen about missing State Opening on Parliament raises eyebrows

The Queen threw her arm into the air with a subtle smile at a joke about her decision to miss the State Opening of Parliament during a special Jubilee celebration.

The Monarch appeared to love every moment of the Gallop Through History event, laughing, smiling and clapping as she watched a number of impressed equestrian performances.

However comedian Omid Djalili, who hosted the celebration, couldn't resist a cheeky joke about the fact the Queen was in the crowd despite asking her son, Prince Charles, to step in for her at the Government event earlier this week.

She was forced to pull out at the last minute due to mobility issues, but reportedly watched on TV from the comfort of her Windsor Castle home.

Closing the show, which included 1,300 performers and 500 horses, he said: "Thank you to the Great British public who have shown up tonight, in the back there, wearing comfortable shoes and light rain-wear."

He then went on to thank the guest of honour, but his comment raised a few eyebrows.

He said: "Your Royal Highness, on behalf of everyone here we would like to thank you, very humbly, for picking us over the State Opening of Parliament.

"You did the right thing, and I won £5 in a bet with my local kebab shop owner in Ipswich."

His joke was met with applause from the audience, and thankfully when the camera panned to the Queen it showed she'd also enjoyed the comment.

She was seen giving a very subtle smile before raising her arm in the air.

He then went on to thank the hosts and presenters who made the night a huge success.

Viewers loved the moment, with some dubbing it the best moment of the evening.

Prince Charles stepped in to read the Queen's Speech (REUTERS)

One wrote: "Best moment of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration concert! When Omid Djalili said “thank you for choosing us over the State Opening of Parliament your Majesty”; the Queen smiled & waived! Priceless."

Another added: "Haha The Queen just raised her hand in agreement about choosing the #platinumjubilee over the state opening of Parliament. Love it!"

The Monarch was forced to miss the State Opening of Parliament and couldn't deliver the Queen's Speech, instead delegating her constitutional duties to the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge.

She was reluctant to drop out of the government event however it was unavoidable due to her “episodic mobility problems”.

A new Letters Patent authorised by the Queen was issued to cover the State Opening delegating to Counsellors of State the royal function of opening a new session of Parliament.

In this instance, it enables Charles and William to jointly exercise that function. No other functions have been delegated by the Queen.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility problems, and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow.

“At Her Majesty’s request, and with the agreement of the relevant authorities, The Prince of Wales will read The Queen’s Speech on Her Majesty’s behalf, with The Duke of Cambridge also in attendance.”

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