Queen Makes First Major Solo Appearance Since Philip's Death

The queen, who did not wear a mask, was escorted by her son, Prince Charles.

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government sought to capitalize on its electoral strength Tuesday, outlining a sweeping legislative agenda to bolster the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, defuse tensions that threaten the country’s unity and combat social issues ranging from housing to care for older adults. The package of about 30 bills was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in the annual Queen’s Speech, in which the monarch reads out the government’s legislative priorities at the ceremonial start of the new parliamentary session. The event, pared down for pandemic times, was the queen’s first major public appearance since the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, last month. A single throne was placed beneath the gold canopy for the monarch. In times past, there were a pair of thrones — one for the queen and another for her consort.