Queen Elizabeth makes first public appearance since Prince Philip’s funeral to open Parliament
The package of about 30 bills was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in the annual Queen’s Speech
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Queen Elizabeth II has made her first public appearance since the funeral of her husband Prince Philip.
On Tuesday, the reigning British monarch attended the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster and was accompanied by her eldest son Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
The 95-year-old, who wore a lavender day dress rather than a full ceremonial gown and crown, sat alone on a throne in the House of Lords, People magazine reported. The Imperial State Crown, signifying the regalia of the Head of State, was placed on a table next to her.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In the past, there were a pair of thrones – one for the queen and another for her consort. Philip passed away on April 9 at age 99.
PRINCE PHILIP'S CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED BY QUEEN ELIZABETH'S PHYSICIAN
Queen Elizabeth II follows the imperial state crown while being escorted by Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords on May 11, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
According to the outlet, the State Opening of Parliament is a significant moment in the political and constitutional calendar as it sees the Sovereign, as head of state, outline the main legislation that the serving U.K. Government, currently led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wishes to introduce in the upcoming months.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The package of about 30 bills was unveiled by Elizabeth 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.
"My government’s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before," the queen said in the House of Lords.
The queen delivered the speech before a socially distanced audience, all of whom needed to have a negative COVID test in order to attend.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}QUEEN ELIZABETH BEAMS IN FIRST ROYAL APPEARANCE SINCE PRINCE PHILIP’S FUNERAL
The scene inside the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London with peers and members of the House of Commons, as Queen Elizabeth II delivers a speech from the throne to outline the government's legislative program for the coming session during the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords on May 11, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Johnson, 56, and his Cabinet put together the list of proposals after a year of lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions triggered the U.K.’s deepest economic slump in three centuries. The government is also facing renewed calls for Scottish independence and unrest in Northern Ireland fueled by Britain’s departure from the European Union.
Johnson will pursue the agenda from a position of strength, with his Conservative Party holding 365 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons. That electoral power was underscored last week when the Conservatives dominated local elections in England.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ahead of the speech, Johnson announced plans to give all adults access to four years of university or job training throughout their lifetimes as part of an effort to ensure workers have the skills employers need in a changing economy. The government also plans to revamp planning laws to speed up the construction of new homes.
"These new laws are the rocket fuel that we need to level up this country and ensure equal opportunities for all," Johnson said in a statement released ahead of the speech. "We know that having the right skills and training is the route to better, well-paid jobs."
ROYAL FAMILY'S TWO-WEEK MOURNING PERIOD FOLLOWING PRINCE PHILIP'S DEATH COMES TO AN END
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the Queen's Speech in the House of Lord's Chamber during the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords on May 11, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The opposition Labour Party said the government must also come up with a plan to create jobs if the training program is to have any meaning. Labour has previously criticized the government for boosting job creation figures with part-time and low-paying jobs.
The legislative program also includes plans for a summit meeting between leaders of the U.K. government and the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to discuss issues caused by the pandemic.
The government also said it would invest in transport links between the U.K.’s four nations and reiterated a commitment that all parts of the country would benefit from a 4.8 billion pound fund to improve town centers and local transport projects.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In addition, the government plans to require voters to show a photo ID before they cast their ballots, ban so-called gay-conversion therapy, restrict the prosecution of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland and overhaul nursing home care.
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Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on April 9, 2021, at age 99. Philip spent a month in hospital earlier this year before being released on March 16 to return to Windsor Castle. Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, married Elizabeth in 1947 and was the longest-serving consort in British history. (Steve Parsons/Pool via AP)
One of the most controversial elements of the government’s program is a crime bill that stalled in the last parliament amid concern that it gave police too much power to restrict public protests.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police were previously criticized for being too lenient after environmental protesters shut down central London last year and for being too heavy-handed in March when they broke up a vigil for a young woman who was murdered after being kidnapped in the capital.
The government also promised to bring forward proposals to reform the social care system, which provides in-home and nursing home services for older people. That fell short of demands from advocates for concrete proposals to resolve the long-running problem.
The issue has vexed the government for more than a decade as rising costs squeeze local governments, which are required to provide care for those who can’t afford it and leave wealthier families in fear of losing their homes as they struggle to pay for the care of aging relatives.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.