The speech is one of the 95-year-old monarch's most important symbolic duties and forms the centerpiece of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony. Queen appears in stripped-down ceremonyThe Queen's Speech is a significant event in both the royal and political calendars. Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street to attend the speech on Tuesday, days after his party enjoyed convincing victories in local elections. The speech was more muted than usual, with social distancing measure meaning the House of Lords was far from full. His major challenge, however, may be keeping the UK together and batting back growing calls from Scotland for an indepedence referendum.

Source: CNN May 11, 2021 11:48 UTC