Only twice in her long tenure has the Queen skipped the speech that bears her name, each due to pregnancy.

This Tuesday, the monarch gave up for age reasons for the first time.

The "Queen's Speech", in which the government traditionally has the Head of State present its program for the coming year, was read by Elizabeth's son and heir to the throne Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla and his son William.

The day before, Buckingham Palace had signaled that everything would be done to organize the Queen's appearance as carefree as possible.

But in the evening it was said that "episodic mobility problems" would keep the Queen at her castle in Windsor.

Jochen Buchsteiner

Political correspondent in London.

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The historical charge of this opening of parliament was underlined by the new arrangement of the throne.

In the past few decades, Elisabeth had sat on the monarch's throne on the left, with Prince Philip on her right and, after his death, Prince Charles.

This time, the heir to the throne, who appeared in admiral's uniform and will probably take over this task permanently from now on, took his place alone on the consort throne on the right side, the crown was displayed on a velvet cushion to his left.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and William, Duke of Cambridge sat at the sides, on red velvet chairs.

Enough “pain pills” distributed already

The speech delivered by heir to the throne Charles contained a total of 38 bills.

Some were not new and are still stuck in Parliament, such as the Policing Bill.

Among other things, the government in London wants to use this to be able to take sharper action against demonstrators who are chained to streets and motorways.

Climate protection activists in particular had caused anger among commuters in recent years.

However, the opposition parties consider the law, which allows for faster evictions and higher penalties, to be too draconian.

The focus of the speech was what is known in the UK as the "Cost of Living Crisis".

The high price increases, especially for energy, have brought many households into difficulties.

The opposition is calling for government aid packages, but the government prefers to stimulate the economy with structural reforms.

A government advisor said before the opening of parliament that enough “painkillers” had been distributed during the pandemic – now it was time for an “operation” to get the economy back on its feet.

The "Queen's Speech" spoke of a "responsible approach".

Another focus was the "levelling-up" agenda, with which the government wants to align living conditions in the kingdom.

To this end, legislation is to be passed to reform municipal planning laws and promote “local growth”.

On foreign policy, it said the government would maintain its "leading role in defending freedom and democracy in the world."

The government program also includes legislation to promote renewable energy, better prosecution of foreign agents, animal welfare, an overhaul of data protection and the establishment of an independent regulator of English football.

Vague comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

It was expected with some tension whether the government would announce concrete measures against the Northern Ireland protocol in the Brexit agreement with the EU.

But the passage remained vague, allowing the government leeway.

However, with reference to the importance of the "integrity of the entire kingdom", including its "internal economic connections", the government made it clear that it reserves the right to take unilateral steps to change the protocol.

A BBC commentator said she had "bought time" with the phrase.

One of the controversial projects is the law that the government announced as a "measure to prevent dangerous and illegal crossings of the English Channel".

Among other things, it includes the plan to fly refugees and migrants who cross from the French coast in boats to the kingdom to Rwanda in order to process the asylum procedures there.

Refugee organizations and opposition politicians consider this to be contrary to international law.

They also criticize the plan to make it easier for migrants who have committed a crime to be deported by reducing the possibilities for legal appeal.

The government also wants to make citizens more aware of the benefits of Brexit.

They will "continue to seize the opportunities of leaving the EU in order to support economic growth," it said.

For this purpose, previous EU rules for companies would be reformed.

A "Brexit Freedom Bill" is set to allow ministers to amend regulations inherited from the EU without parliamentary approval.

Public procurement will be simplified to create new opportunities for small businesses.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labor leader Keir Starmer were seen joking together on their way to the House of Lords.

They may have exchanged views on their two affairs, "Partygate" and "Beergate".

Starmer announced his resignation on Monday evening if the police also sent him a fine for violating corona rules.