What The Queen's Absence At State Opening Means For Britain's Future

Prince Charles had to read the queen's speech at the State Opening of Parliament after she skipped due to ongoing mobility issues.

For the first time, Prince Charles — not Queen Elizabeth — led the state opening of Parliament, giving a glimpse of the future. The monarch missed as she is suffering from what her doctors describe as episodic mobility issues.

The State Opening is one of the biggest Constitutional moments for the head of state, and the queen hasn't missed one for 59 years. The monarch is responsible for reading out the government's intentions for the new parliamentary session.

Prince Charles was a last minute stand-in for his mother.