Missing chair beside Queen was 'poignant symbol' of Prince Philip's loss

The Queen has carried out her first major public engagement since the Duke of Edinburgh passed away - but the State Opening of Parliament was marked by an historic absence.

For the first time in 120 years, the consort's throne that is usually placed next to the monarch was absent, following the sad death of Prince Philip last month.

Instead Prince Charles followed his late father's example to take his mother's hand and provide support during the formal event.

But it meant that much like Philip's funeral, the Queen was pictured alone in a striking reminder of her sad loss.

The ceremony, held on Tuesday, did not have all of the pomp and circumstance of a normal State Opening, with no horse-drawn carriages or page boys .

The image of the Queen alone at State Opening echoed the agonising sight of her sitting alone at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral (Getty Images)

Much of its pageantry was missing because of Covid restrictions still in place despite the easing of lockdown measures in England.

The consort’s throne usually occupied by Prince Philip remained at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, under the care of the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Daily Mail reports.

Charles and Camilla were seated on chairs of State on the Queen’s left, to maintain social distancing.

Prince Charles accompanied his mother during the service (PA)

The prince held her hand as she climbed the steps to the solitary throne before taking his own seat beside his wife, dressed in white.

The Queen wore a face mask before the ceremony and again as she left Parliament.

Prince Philip died on April 9, just weeks after he reunited with the Queen following a month-long stay in hospital.

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But the Queen would normally have been sat next to her beloved husband, as during this opening from 2015 (Getty Images)

Father-of-four Philip was the longest-serving consort in British history, dedicating decades of his life to royal duty, serving the nation at the monarch's side.

His greatest legacy was the pioneering Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for youth, which he founded in 1956 and has since been expanded to almost 150 countries.

Social distancing and Covid safety measures were all in place at a rather toned down event this week (PA)

Active with many charities, he was a patron, president or member of more than 700 organisations during his lifetime.

Before his death the Duke had spent the last year isolating with his beloved wife at Windsor Castle along with a scaled back team of royal staff.