Today was the Queen's Speech, a colourful event, but this year, sadly, without the Queen. While colleagues were attending the State Opening, I and other colleagues from the Defence Committee headed by eurostar to NATO HQs in Brussels on a two day trip that had been cancelled twice. After struggling through customs and security with hundreds of other passengers, we boarded the train, arriving in Brussels about two hours later. We were collected in a minibus, arriving at NATO's flag entrance about 20 minutes later. The day saw many meetings, all of them fascinating. What was most encouraging was the high regard in which everyone held the UK. Praise was heaped on the Prime Minister over his firm stance on Ukraine. At about 1730 we headed to our hotel, where we only had a short time to sort ourselves out before heading out to supper with our Ambassador David Quarrey and a number of deputy permanent representatives from member countries. Over an enjoyable dinner, we discussed many issues affecting NATO. After a long day, we were all grateful to fall into bed before another long day tomorrow. Back home, the Government used the Queen's Speech to promise it would tackle sharp rises in the cost of living by boosting the economy. In Ukraine at least 100 civilians were still trapped in the besieged Mariupol steelworks, despite earlier reports suggesting all those stuck in the sprawling plant had been rescued. And in a highly self-indulgent High Court case, Rebekah Vardy denied leaking information to newspapers as she gave evidence in her libel case against Coleen Rooney.