Why this year’s King's Speech will be a bitter pill for Charles to swallow

King Charles

King speech will be a bitter pill for Charles to swallow

GETTY
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 06/11/2023

- 12:33

The King's Speech will take place in the House of Lords on Tuesday

King Charles will find the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament a bitter pill to swallow, according to a political commentator.

Rosa Prince, who has penned biographies of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, explained how the King's passion for environmental activism will make delivering Tuesday's speech quite difficult.


King Charles

King Charles delivering the Queen's Speech in 2022

PA

Prince explained in Politico: "King Charles, never shy of discussing his concerns about climate and environment before becoming King, who will sit on a gold throne Tuesday and read a piece of paper announcing his government’s plans to … ramp-up North Sea oil drilling."

During the King's Speech, Charles will have to announce Rishi Sunak's plans to "ramp up North Sea oil drilling".

Sunak is planning to push forward the expansion of North Sea oil and gas exploration.

Through this policy, the Prime Minister will widen the divide between the Conservatives and Labour over environmental policies.

WATCH NOW: King Charles delivering Queen's Speech in 2022

According to Sunak, the drive will help the UK meet its green targets “without adding undue burdens on households".

The speech will be held on Tuesday, November 7 and will preempt the final Parliament session before the next general election.

This will be the first King's Speech that Charles will deliver as sovereign, from the throne inside the House of Lords.

In May 2022, he delivered the Queen's Speech when Queen Elizabeth II was unable to do so.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II delivering the Queen's Speech in 2004

PA

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

Queen Camilla could wear Queen Elizabeth II's diamond diadem

PA

Queen Camilla will also attend the King's Speech alongside her husband of 18 years.

The Queen is reportedly planning on wearing Queen Elizabeth II's diamond diadem at the State Opening of Parliament.

The headpiece, which is worth a whopping £6million, was worn by the late monarch for her Coronation in 1953.

You may like