The queen attends the first major event since Philip’s death

The speech also referred to a controversial plan to require voters to prove their identity when participating in elections. The government has said the measure would reduce electoral fraud, but critics across the political spectrum have said the fraud is virtually non-existent and the measure would make it difficult for the poorest people to vote.

Queen appears in a naked ceremony

The Queen’s speech is a significant event in both the royal and political calendar. The appearance of the monarch gave the British a first look at their queen in her role since she became a widow. The actual contents of his speech, by contrast, set out the government’s vision and are fiercely debated by lawmakers days later.

Still, the ceremony was full of much of its traditional pomp and spectacle. The queen walked beside her powerful imperial crown of the state, and Black Rod, who acts as the monarch’s representative in Parliament, nailed the door to the common chamber to her as a gesture representing the independence of legislators.

Prince Charles once again accompanied the queen to the ceremony, as she has done since Philip’s retirement in 2017.

Politically, the speech focused on Johnson’s commitment to “recovering the national recovery” from the Covid-19 pandemic, including commitments to drive research, improve education, and accelerate housing creation.

But much of the debate focused on plans to introduce a photo identification requirement at the polls. The queen said the government would work to “renew democracy and the constitution” and “ensure the integrity of the elections” through new legislation.

His big challenge, however, may be to keep the UK united and reject Scotland’s growing calls for an independence referendum. “My ministers will promote the strength and integrity of the union,” the Queen told Parliament, also promising measures to “address the legacy of the past” in Northern Ireland.

A couple of hours after the speech is delivered, lawmakers begin debating its content in what is known as the “Humble Address,” which usually lasts several days. After the debate, a vote is taken, but this process will be essentially symbolic given Johnson’s healthy parliamentary majority.