| 2022 State Opening of Parliament | |
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 ThePrince of Wales reading the Queen's Speech | |
| Legislative body | Parliament of the United Kingdom |
| Meeting place | Palace of Westminster |
| Date | 10 May 2022 (2022-05-10) |
| Government | Second Johnson ministry |
AState Opening of theParliament of the United Kingdom took place on 10 May 2022.[1]Charles, Prince of Wales, andPrince William, Duke of Cambridge, opened the third session of the58th Parliament on behalf ofQueen Elizabeth II with the traditionalQueen's Speech.[2] It was the first State Opening at which twoCounsellors of State acted on behalf of the monarch.
On 6 May,BBC News reported that the Queen was hoping to attend.[3] On 9 May, it was reported that the Queen would not be attending.[4] Instead, her son, the then-Prince of Wales, and her grandson, the Duke of Cambridge opened a new session of the British Parliament on behalf of the Queen, acting asCounsellors of State, with Prince Charles reading the Queen's speech.[5][6] This would be the final State Opening of the Queen's reign beforeher death in September 2022.
On the morning of the event,James MorrisMP, asVice-Chamberlain of the Household, was "taken hostage" atBuckingham Palace to ensure Prince Charles' and Prince William's safe return from Parliament.[7]
The Prince of Wales, wearing the uniform of anAdmiral of the Fleet, read the Queen's Speech from the consort'sthrone that was formerly used by his late father,Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The larger Sovereign's Throne that was normally used by the Queen was removed from the chamber. The Duke of Cambridge andCamilla, Duchess of Cornwall, both wearingmorning dress with the Duke of Cambridge wearing his military medals and the breast star of theOrder of the Garter, sat in chairs of state on either side of the Prince of Wales.[8][9]
Rather than the traditional command to theHouse of Commons,Black Rod summoned theMPs by saying: "Mr. Speaker, the Queen commands this Honourable House, to attend her Counsellors of State immediately in the House of Peers". In addition, the Prince of Wales referred to the government and ministers as "Her Majesty's Government" and "Her Majesty's Ministers". This was in place of the traditional "My Government" and "My Ministers" used by the Queen.[10]
A number of bills were carried over from the previous session.[11]
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