It is the first Queen's Speech in decades where the outcome is in doubt

And so we have it, the first Queen's Speech presented by a minority government since 1978.

Enjoy it while it lasts, folks - the Government has said that, unusually, there won't be one next year. The Imperial crown will be gathering dust 'til 2019.

Theresa May had hoped and expected that this Queen's Speech - her first as Prime Minister- would be laying out her governing priorities with the aid of a huge Commons majority.

She would be able to remould government policy as she saw fit, unencumbered by the opposition or her own obstreperous MPs.

Instead, she finds herself without a majority, without the deal she promised with the DUP - and thus it becomes the first Queen's Speech in decades where the outcome is in doubt (albeit only marginally).


Remember that if the Government were to lose it they would almost certainly have to resign.

So the words the Queen is forced to utter today will be listened to and trawled over more than usual.

Here are five things to watch out for...

:: Brexit

Hammond: Brexit wasn't a vote to make the UK poorer

Before the General Election the whole of the cabinet was more or less singing from the same hymn sheet on what Brexit means.

With the PM's authority shattered, Cabinet ministers have now started singing their own songs, laying out what sort of deal they think the Government should seek - and laying the groundwork for a leadership contest in the process. Philip Hammond's Mansion House speech arguing for a softer Brexit was the clearest example so far.

Whatever the Queen says about the sort of deal the Government is pursuing, it will have to balance the competing priorities of the Cabinet. And Brussels will be listening out for any softening of the Government's position.

:: Grammar Schools

Image: Grammar school are Theresa May's signature policy

The signature policy of Theresa May, the idea which signalled her biggest departure from the David Cameron era - it is contentious in her party and toxic to the opposition.

If it isn't there it will be a sure sign that the domestic agenda of the May Government is all but over.

:: Northern Ireland

Who are the DUP?

With the DUP deal still not reached, any sign of sweeteners or nods to any priorities of the Democratic Unionist Party will be seized upon.

:: Labour-friendly measures

Image: Will the speech include policies Jeremy Corbyn might support?

The reality of legislating as a minority means you need the support of other parties to pass anything. The onus may therefore be on measures Labour can support to be guaranteed of passage.

Will we therefore see a return to the idea of workers on company boards? More infrastructure spending? Or a hint of greater increases in the National Minimum Wage?

If there are signs of policies with Labour support it'll be a sign that Mrs May has accustomed herself to her new position.

She will, however, have to keep her own backbenchers on board.

:: State visits

Image: Holding hands during the PM's White House visit in January

It is customary for the Queen to begin her address with a rundown of the state visits she expects to undertake in the coming year and the visiting heads of state she expects to receive.

Therefore, if the state visit offered by Mrs May to Donald Trump when he became President is going ahead, we'd expect her to mention it early on.

As you can see, the most interesting thing to watch out for will be, in effect, what isn't in the speech. It will probably be the slimmest offering for some time, with the Prime Minister effectively forced to avoid anything controversial.

As they say in Brussels, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and right now no one in Westminster, not even in the Conservative Party, can agree on anything.

If that seems chaotic to you, remember - you voted for it.

Image: There will be no such pomp this year

And if it doesn't look like a normal Queen's Speech, don't adjust your sets. These occasions, the most glorious of the political calendar with all the pomp and circumstance the British state can muster, will be much reduced.

As a result of the Government moving the speech forward by 10 days, it comes only two days after the Trooping the Colour ceremony. It was deemed unfeasible for the military and the Royal Mews to stage two major events in such a short period.

Therefore, the Queen will be wearing her normal day clothing and the golden carriage procession will be replaced with a car journey.

The irony will not be lost on Westminster: a pared down Queen's Speech for a pared down prime ministerial agenda.