Queen Elizabeth II delivered her traditional opening-of-Parliament speech without her husband Prince Philip, and without a firm deal in place for Theresa May to run the country.

The Queen carried on with her royal duties at the ceremonial opening of the new British Parliament, with eight of the 27 bills outlined in the speech dealing with the complex process of Brexit.

Her son and heir Prince Charles sat by her side throughout the ceremony as Prince Philip remained in hospital with an infection.

Contrary to expectations, there was no mention of US President Donald Trump’s invitation for a state visit, which prompted criticism from all parties.

The speech was also delivered with less pageantry as is customary due to the timing of the snap election.

While the Queen reads the speech to lawmakers, it is in fact written by the Prime Minister and her staff.

Prime Minister May omitted several controversial policies that were pushed during the Conservatives’ election campaign, including a plan to change aged care funding, which was dubbed the “dementia tax”, the Associated Press reported.

Ms May promised “humility” in negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) after a disastrous election that cost the ruling Conservative Party its majority.

Prince Philip in hospital ‘as precaution’

Prince Philip, 96, was admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure” for treatment for an infection arising from a “pre-existing condition”, according to the Buckingham Palace.

“The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last night, as a precautionary measure, for treatment of an infection arising from a pre-existing condition,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

“Prince Philip is in good spirits and is disappointed to be missing the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot.”

– with AAP