Queen Elizabeth II will not take part in the opening ceremony of the session of Parliament, announced at Buckingham Palace. Instead, the throne speech on the government’s legislative plans will be read by Prince Charles. The last time Elizabeth II missed him was in 1963.

The speech is written by the government and read out by the monarch or, in rare cases, by a representative appointed by him.

The 96-year-old queen has difficulty moving around and has already canceled her participation in several public events because of this.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said that Elizabeth II wanted to take part in the ceremony in Westminster until the last moment, but in the end she was forced to refuse due to “episodic mobility problems.”

The Queen made the decision after consulting with doctors.

Elizabeth II this year was unable to take part in Easter events, including the traditional church service. Also, her receptions in the royal gardens are canceled for the whole year ahead.

The Queen has attended only one public event outside of Windsor Castle this year, a memorial service for her late husband, Prince Philip, at Westminster Abbey in March. Then, too, her presence was in doubt until the last moment; when she arrived, she moved, leaning on a cane.

Queen Elizabeth only missed the opening of Parliament twice in her 70 years of reign, in 1959 and 1963, both times due to pregnancy.

On those occasions, her speech was delivered by the Lord Chancellor, but on Tuesday it will be read by the Prince of Wales.

In April of this year, Elizabeth II celebrated her 96th birthday at Sandringham Palace. The Queen has been on the throne for the longest of all British monarchs – on February 6, 2022, she celebrated her platinum anniversary on the throne – 70 years.