Queen Addresses Parliament

Queen Elizabeth, who recently marked her 95th birthday, gave the traditional address from The Crown to open the Houses of Parliament today, Tuesday, May 12, 2021.

The Queen, looking quite well, arrived at the Palace of Westminster in a state coach.  She walked into the House of Lords escorted by her son, Prince Charles.   The Imperial State Crown, as per tradition, preceded the Queen in a carriage of its own, and was ceremoniously carried into Westminster before the Queen.

The Queen was seated at the Sovereign’s Throne in the House of Lords and then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Members of The House of Commons were summoned to The House of Lords for the joint opening session of the Houses of Parliament.

The Queen officially opens Parliament in the tradition-steeped event that unites the three elements of legislature – the House of Lords, the House of Commons and The Queen.  The Queen gives a brief speech to Parliament, though the speech is written by the Government, not the Queen herself, in a sign of the separation of powers.  A copy of the speech is carried by the Lord Chancellor in a special silk bag and presented to Her Majesty, who reads it to the joint session.  The speech is traditionally very brief, and outlines general goals for the nation.

The Queen’s speech today was focused on the central goal of recovering from the Coronavirus pandemic.

“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.

The Queen ended her brief speech by telling the members of Parliament, “I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.”

Below is a video from The BBC of the Queen’s arrival and her speech.

For more details on the ceremony visit:  The Royal Family Website

Queen Elizabeth’s 95th Birthday

Queen Elizabeth, in mourning for her late husband, Prince Philip, marked her 95th birthday on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Meanwhile, the Royal Trust announced that Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle will soon reopen to visitors.

Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest serving monarch, was born in London on April 21, 1926.  The Royal Family said the Queen remains at Windsor Castle during a period of Royal Mourning for her late husband, The Duke of Edinburgh, who died on April 9, 2021.  (For more details visit: How to View Prince Philip’s Funeral.)

While in mourning, she continues to carry out her official duties, the Royal Family said.

“Her Majesty continues to carry out a full programme of engagements, from visits to charities and schools, to hosting visiting Heads of State, to leading the nation in Remembrance and celebratory events – all supported by other members of the Royal Family,” said the Royal Family website.

“The Queen sees public and voluntary service as one of the most important elements of her work. “

The Queen herself issued these remarks, posted today on The Royal Family’s official Facebook Page:

“I have on the occasion of my 95th birthday today received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate.

“While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.”

If there is an official celebration of the Queen’s birthday it will occur in June, as per long tradition.

The Queen’s Official Birthday Celebration

By tradition, the British monarch’s official birthday celebration is held on the second Saturday in June.  That date has been fixed since 1748, when King George II, whose birthday was in November, delayed the annual celebration until June, in hopes of having fine weather for the official celebration.

It is not yet known whether there will be a celebration for the Queen this year.

The 2020 celebration featured a military parade led by the Welsh Guards, observed by the Queen.  You can view the entire two-hour celebration on the BBC Youtube Channel; or just click on the video below.