PRINCE Charles was flanked by wife Camilla and son William as he stood in for the Queen at yesterday’s State Opening of Parliament — but royal sources insisted Her Majesty was still “very much” in charge.
The 96-year-old monarch’s absence with mobility problems has led to fears she may never continue her duties as Head of State or again deliver her speech outlining the Government’s priorities.
But sources from across all royal palaces were yesterday quick to rule out any suggestion that heir Charles, 73, is acting as a prince regent.
A senior royal insider pointed out the Queen has been carrying out state duties since first being hampered while walking in the autumn, and that she will host a virtual Privy Council today.
Yesterday’s constitutional ceremony was a special exception because it needed her to be present at the Lords.
She decided to withdraw on Monday afternoon after talking to her doctor.
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Instead she issued a one-off decree giving Counsellors of State Charles and William powers to make the Speech on her behalf.
After they excelled in their duties yesterday, the senior source said: “The Queen was very proud to see her son and grandson step in.”
She watched on TV from Windsor Castle as calm Charles took the golden consort’s throne next to an empty space where she would sit on the sovereign’s throne. The consort throne used to be occupied by Prince Philip.
William sat on a chair of state to Charles’s right, with future Queen Consort Camilla to her husband’s left.
Charles, in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, gazed at the Imperial State Crown on its velvet cushion before announcing 38 of PM Boris Johnson’s proposed laws.
Sources close to the Prince of Wales said he is “ready for it and up for it” whenever the Queen’s problems mean she cannot attend.
A spokesman for Charles added: “The Prince of Wales is of course always ready to support Her Majesty.”
It was the first time in 59 years and only the third occasion in her 70-year reign that the Queen has missed the State Opening. The other two times she was pregnant.
Charles was the first heir to the throne to make the address instead of the monarch since then-Prince Regent George IV stepped in for George III in 1820.
He delivered the amended Speech in the third person — replacing “my Government” and “my ministers” with “Her Majesty’s Government and ministers”.
Second-in-line William, who wore a morning coat, attended the State Opening for the first time.
He smiled as he greeted dignitaries, then bit his lip as he walked through the packed chamber, clasping his hands in front of him. Camilla wore a navy-blue day dress and hat rather than a gown and tiara, and held a handbag and a pair of gloves.
A pal of Charles said: “This is his mum and so of course he always wants her to do these events such as State Opening of Parliament.
“But equally it is his job to support the Queen and he’s ready for it and up for it and perfectly capable.
“He would rather step up than her being made to do things that are difficult for her.”
Joe Little of Majesty magazine said of the Prince of Wales: “It must have been a hugely significant moment for him. It was also rather telling the way that he looked at the Imperial State Crown for several seconds as it was placed on the table at the side of him.
“You kind of wondered what was going through his mind.
“As people have been saying today, we are looking at the future. It was a duty that he would rather not have had to fulfil, but nevertheless that’s what he and William were there for as Counsellors of State. It’s a big moment in royal history.”
Despite her absence yesterday, the Queen is expected to attend Trooping the Colour and be on the Buckingham Palace balcony to kick off her Jubilee on June 2.
She is expected to join a service in her honour at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 3 and be at The Derby in Epsom, Surrey, the next day.
Her Majesty is also set to hold her weekly phone call with the Prime Minister later today.
But she has now missed at least 14 major engagements in seven months including a trip to Northern Ireland, Remembrance Sunday events and Buckingham Palace garden parties.
Former press secretary to the Queen Dickie Arbiter said: “I wouldn’t write her off quite yet. It is a gradual handover but it’s not the end of the Queen.
“I like to think she will be at Trooping the Colour and she would certainly want to be at the Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s.
“The State Opening of Parliament does involve a lot of movement and stairs which is a bit of a walk for a 96-year-old but OK for a 73-year-old like the Prince of Wales.
“Her brain is razor sharp, she just has a few mobility issues. Charles, William and Camilla are very able and willing to stand in.
“But is she capable of fulfilling the role of Head of State? The answer is yes.”
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Dr Bob Morris, constitutional expert at University College London, called the arrangements unprecedented.
He said it was “more likely than not” that they would continue for future State Openings, meaning the Queen may never carry out that duty again.
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