Queen's Speech is a slimmed-down, pomp-free affair

Today's Queen's Speech was a "slimmed-down, ceremony-lite, pomp-free version", says The Guardian.

The Queen arrived in a car rather than her usual royal carriage and replaced the imperial state crown and royal robes with a "day dress" and matching hat.

Hannah Furness, royal correspondent at the Daily Telegraph, says the reason for the pared-back ceremony was due to the short turnaround from the snap election, but The Guardian's Andrew Sparrow argues "it is hard not to read this as a verdict on the quality of our governance.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"After all, if Theresa May couldn’t secure a majority, why should the Queen see fit to bother with a crown."

It is the first time since 1974 that such a scaled-back ceremony has taken place, with "the only other occasion following Labour leader Harold Wilson defeating Edward Heath in a snap election", says Furness.

Timing of the Queen's Speech also meant the monarch had to cancel the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle for the first time in 30 years. According to Buckingham Palace, Trooping the Colour, on 17 June, had to take precedent as it requires a full escort from the Household Cavalry Regiment.

It is also claimed that the proximity of the two major events would make the logistics of a normal State Opening of Parliament too difficult, as there would not be enough time to rehearse an event of that scale.

Alongside the distinct lack of pomp and ceremony this year, the Queen was also without the Duke of Edinburgh, who was admitted to hospital as a "precautionary measure" following an infection arising from a pre-existing condition.

"Prince Philip is in good spirits and is disappointed to be missing the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot," Buckingham Palace said.

The Duke's place was taken by Prince Charles, who sat next to his mother as she delivered the speech.

One custom did remain, however - Labour MP Dennis Skinner made his traditional joke before the Queen took her seat.

"Get your skates on. First race is at half past two," he said, a reference to the monarch heading for Royal Ascot after the speech.