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King Charles’s Team Confirms State Opening Amid Leadership Crisis

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

King Charles’s aide consulted Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo on State Opening amid leadership crisis, while Downing Street and Buckingham Palace declined comment, saying Palace was assured the ceremony is constitutionally correct.
The King’s private secretary, the cabinet secretary and the Prime Minister’s private secretary met to discuss implications.
The King will read Government’s agenda at State Opening on Wednesday, while the vellum speech, finalized a week earlier, cannot be altered.

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Story summary

King Charles’s aide consulted Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo on State Opening amid leadership crisis, while Downing Street and Buckingham Palace declined comment, saying Palace was assured the ceremony is constitutionally correct.
The King’s private secretary, the cabinet secretary and the Prime Minister’s private secretary met to discuss implications.
The King will read Government’s agenda at State Opening on Wednesday, while the vellum speech, finalized a week earlier, cannot be altered.