UK's Prince Charles Makes Parliamentary Debut on Behalf of Queen... Gradual Succession to the Throne

[Image source=Yonhap News] Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles attending the opening ceremony of the UK Parliament
(London AP=Yonhap News) Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (left) and Prince Charles are seated side by side at the opening ceremony of Parliament held at the Palace of Westminster in London on the 21st (local time). Prince Charles took the seat next to the Queen on behalf of his husband, Duke Philip, who was hospitalized the day before due to an infection.
Photo by lkm@yna.co.kr (End)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] British Prince Charles performed the important constitutional duty of delivering the 'Queen's Speech' in Parliament for the first time on behalf of the Queen. This is regarded as a historic moment showing the gradual transfer of the throne.

On the 10th (local time), Prince Charles appeared in Parliament as a representative of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who has limited mobility due to her advanced age, and read the Queen's Speech.

Until last year, Prince Charles assisted the Queen by her side, but this year he attended accompanied by his wife Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, and his son Prince William, sitting in the center. The Daily Mail reported that Prince Charles looked at the crown placed beside him as if emotions were welling up before reading the Queen's Speech.

Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her 70th year on the throne this year, has reigned for a long time, and Prince Charles, born in November 1948, has remained first in line to the throne despite entering old age.

The royal family has often dismissed the possibility of abdication, emphasizing that the Queen promised lifelong dedication. In fact, although the Queen has delegated minor roles to other royal family members as she aged, she has faithfully carried out major official duties without relinquishing them.

However, since a one-day hospital stay last autumn, she has significantly reduced public activities. The royal family announced the day before that the Queen "made the reluctant decision to not attend (the Queen's Speech) after consulting with doctors due to occasional mobility issues." The Queen has recently been seen frequently using a cane and has acknowledged difficulty in moving.

British media are mentioning the possibility that the Queen will remain monarch but step back further while the Prince of Wales acts as regent. The Daily Mail reported that the crown was placed not in front of Prince Charles but in front of the empty seat of the Queen on that day.

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