In Pictures: Charles takes centre stage at Queen’s Speech
The Prince of Wales stood in for the Queen as the 96-year-old monarch reluctantly pulled out of the major ceremonial occasion.
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The Prince of Wales has delivered the Queen’s Speech after the 96-year-old monarch reluctantly pulled out of the major ceremonial occasion following advice from her royal doctors.
The Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, a future Queen Consort, accompanied Charles on the historic occasion.
![The Prince of Wales sits by the Imperial State Crown during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London (](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/4729558d8226cc3bc32dcf356bb874deY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY2NDIy/2.66814142.jpg?w=640)
![The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive at the Sovereign’s Entrance to the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/f719cbd1846ba2038bf25555350eab01Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY2MDk5/2.66813779.jpg?w=640)
![The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall proceed behind the Imperial State Crown through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/f1455eaea2bd1fb06091b6aff27f6d5aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY2MTI1/2.66814038.jpg?w=640)
![The Duchess of Cornwall arrives at the Sovereign’s Entrance to the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/1824fcffc78eb50aae0142d215c2273cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1OTg1/2.66813611.jpg?w=640)
![The Duke of Cambridge walks past the Household Cavalry in the Norman Porch at the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/78a08369f9ab55c1ba01fa10633e0415Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY2NzQw/2.66813977.jpg?w=640)
![The Prince of Wales (centre) sits by the Imperial State Crown with the Duchess of Cornwall (right) and the Duke of Cambridge (left) during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/738996a541b2a51409ced097b6d725caY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY2ODM3/2.66814215.jpg?w=640)
![The Prince of Wales delivers the Queen’s Speech during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/41b98f6190ee8654a2b306d7794c7953Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY3OTk3/2.66814919.jpg?w=640)
![The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall leaving the Palace of Westminster after attending the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/9a7afae426aa73b7461723eabde46bd0Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY3ODg0/2.66814811.jpg?w=640)
![The Duke of Cambridge leaving the Palace of Westminster after attending the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/36332347a122cbd285aa25ce34fa52c4Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY3OTEz/2.66814806.jpg?w=640)
![William was in good spirits as he left the Palace of Westminster](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/70aa510904ca5bec1a4ad23b11df721cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY4NjM3/2.66814945.jpg?w=640)
There was plenty of traditional pomp and ceremony on display at the State Opening of Parliament.
![Members of the Household Cavalry prepare at the Sovereign’s Entrance to the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/8019a781caf9cfa4d1450e4f26cf2fa5Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1ODIx/2.66813317.jpg?w=640)
![The Imperial State Crown is carried through the Norman Porch for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/4db204aa017e2f3e8a2384d20f53c501Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1NzAw/2.66813172.jpg?w=640)
![Yeoman of the Guard walk among the seats in the House of Lords Chamber during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/e822aed87101a93b92045e571ca7f4f3Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1NjEw/2.66812615.jpg?w=640)
![The Queen’s Guard line up at the Palace of Westminster in London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/7a50d6ea62db9511112330787e884700Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1NTU4/2.66812610.jpg?w=640)
![Lady usher of the Black Rod walks through the Norman Porch for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/7fe2791c7ad41309c1c9c3b795e595eaY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1Nzgz/2.66813314.jpg?w=640)
![Yeomen of the Guard, wearing traditional uniform, walk through the Royal Gallery during the ceremonial search before the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/46888ca0f463f0c5be1a57d2a20c1dedY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1NDc1/2.66812176.jpg?w=640)
![Lifeguards from the Household Cavalry outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/d330c98fa6121cb31bff6da9131aa053Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1NTMy/2.66812294.jpg?w=640)
![Yeoman warders arrive for the ceremonial search of the Palace of Westminster in London, ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/59ac19a18dde8bd76f753327d63085eeY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY1MzQ1/2.66811994.jpg?w=640)
![Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) and the leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer walk through the Central Lobby at the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/7719f2f783c044e70be9a7f68306870eY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjUyMjY2MDM5/2.66814050.jpg?w=640)