Throne alone: Queen performs her first public duty since Philip s death at Covid-secure State Opening of Parliament as social-distancing rules omit 120-year-old consort s throne from House of Lords ceremony
Today is the Queen s first major public ceremonial duty since death of her husband Prince Philip on April 9
Ceremony is scaled back due to Covid restrictions and everyone present must have had a negative test
Queen did not wear ceremonial robes or crown - and instead had day dress and travelled by car, not coach
She announces Prime Minister Boris Johnson s legislative agenda and is supported by her son Prince Charles
BBC News
By Becky Morton
image copyrightGetty Images
The Queen has carried out her first major public engagement since the death the Duke of Edinburgh, as she attended the State Opening of Parliament.
Prince Philip spent decades accompanying the monarch to the event.
This year s ceremony was pared back because of the pandemic.
It was the monarch s first official appearance in public in her role as head of state and her first engagement outside Windsor Castle since the death of her husband on 9 April, aged 99.
However, the Queen, 95, has been continuing her official duties, including taking part in virtual events, since a two-week period of royal mourning ended.
BBC News
By Becky Morton
image copyrightGetty Images
The Queen has carried out her first major public engagement since the death the Duke of Edinburgh, as she attended the State Opening of Parliament.
Prince Philip spent decades accompanying the monarch to the event.
This year s ceremony was pared back because of the pandemic.
It was the monarch s first official appearance in public in her role as head of state and her first engagement outside Windsor Castle since the death of her husband on 9 April, aged 99.
However, the Queen, 95, has been continuing her official duties, including taking part in virtual events, since a two-week period of royal mourning ended.
Queen s Speech 2021 - everything announced by the Queen today
The Government will lay out its agenda in the House of Lords Chamber today
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Play now
The Queen is set to give her annual speech today but things will be a bit different.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, the guest list will be trimmed down as the Government lays out its agenda including new legislation.
It is expected that there will be a number of new laws that the Government that will announce including the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which grants police in England and Wales greater powers to shut down protests.