Dominic Raab would deliver the Queen's Speech if she is unable to attend the State Opening of Parliament on May 10, protocol suggests. The Deputy Prime Minister would fill in for the monarch in his role as Lord Chancellor.
An alternative plan would see Prince Charles take his mother's place and read the Queen's Speech on her behalf, according to The Sun. The newspaper reports backup plans have been drawn up in case she cannot attend.
The speech – delivered by the Queen in the House of Lords but written by the UK government – will set out the Conservatives' agenda for the next parliamentary session. It will likely include bills to tackle the cost of living squeeze, establish a new energy strategy and clear backlogs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Queen has only missed two State Openings of Parliament during her time on the throne, in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Princes Andrew and Edward respectively. On both occasions, her speech was delivered by the then Lord Chancellor rather than a fellow royal.
The Prince of Wales is taking on an increasing number of royal duties on the Queen's behalf. She has recently had to pull out of attending regular diary events, including the traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor earlier this month.
Buckingham Palace is understood to be "pacing" the monarch's workload as mobility issues limit the scale of her public duties. The Queen was heard telling defence staff in February: "As you can see, I can't move."
A government statement regarding the State Opening of Parliament said: "The Queen’s Speech will set out the government’s agenda for the next session and its plans to grow our economy, cut the cost of living, make our streets safer and clear the Covid backlogs. The Queen’s Speech will provide the leadership needed in challenging times to level up opportunities and employment in all parts of the United Kingdom."
