Pomp and ceremony will be observed in Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament and the all-important Queen's Speech on Tuesday May 10, but the Queen herself won't be present.
Recent reports indicated the Queen was set to attend the opening, but Prince Charles will go in her place after the Palace declared Her Majesty had made the "reluctant" decision to drop out. It also means Prince William will be in attendance for his first State Opening appearance.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "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."
The historic tradition officially opens Parliament for the year and is a vitally important and symbolic ceremony in British democracy, as the government sets out its plans.
Campaigners upset with the government's current handling of the major issues plaguing the country, such as the cost of living crisis and reaction to Partygate, have set out their own alternative Queen's Speech.
What time is the Queen's Speech?
The Queen's Speech forms part of the ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament, which begins at 11.30am on May 10 2022. The speech is then given shortly after.
Prince Charles and Prince William will arrive at Parliament after travelling to Westminster in a carriage procession.
He is granted the power to attend in the Queen's place by the Letters Patent, which authorises the Royal function of opening a new session of Parliament.
The Palace said: "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."
It is an important part of tradition and no legislation can be passed without it once Parliament has been 'prorogued' - the term given to when the Parliament is suspended.
The last two ceremonies attended by the Queen saw her arrive in more casual dress, choosing not to wear the extremely heavy Imperial State Crown, though the Crown itself will attend the event.
How do I watch the State Opening of Parliament?
Coverage of the Queen's Speech and the State Opening of Parliament starts on BBC News at 10.30am and will continue until 12.15pm. It can be watched online through BBC iPlayer.
Sky News and its YouTube channel also has coverage.
What will be in the Queen's Speech?
Expected to be in the speech are changes to Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit border arrangements, as well as an emphasis on a new energy strategy to try and clean up the country's energy uses.
Prince Charles is expected to announce plans for nuclear power, the privatisation of Channel 4 and a controversial bill to replace the Human Rights Act on behalf of the Queen's government.
New restrictions on landlords are expected and what the PM has termed the "super seven" of Brexit Bills designed to tackle "unnecessary barriers inherited from the EU".
