Commonwealth Day: Queen issues message as other royals attend service
Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate represented the Queen at the Commonwealth Service today after the 95-year-old monarch missed the event at Westminster Abbey for the first time in nearly a decade.
The Queen had earlier said she hoped the Commonwealth ‘remains an influential force for good in our world for many generations to come’ as she renewed her promise made in 1947 to ‘always be devoted in service’. The head of state’s Commonwealth Day Message was issued by Buckingham Palace today ahead of the annual service.
The Queen, who has recently recovered from coronavirus and has been experiencing mobility issues, had hoped to attend the important event in the royal calendar alongside Charles, Camilla, William and Kate.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were greeted as they arrived – while inside the place of worship, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were waiting and the two royal couples kissed each other on the cheeks.
But last Friday, palace officials revealed that the Queen – who is Head of the Commonwealth – had asked her son Charles to represent her at the service after discussing arrangements with members of the Royal Household.
Ensuring the comfort of the monarch, who now regularly uses a stick and has spoken openly about her mobility issues, is thought to have been an overriding consideration in her decision not to take part.
The monarch’s announcement three days ago came after the order of service for today was printed – as she was named in the document, with the congregation required to stand when she arrived and made her way to her seat.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster, told the congregation today: ‘In this Jubilee year, in which we rejoice in the 70 years that Her Majesty the Queen has presided over this Commonwealth, we also thank God for her faithfulness and commit ourselves to learn from an example of duty and service. In words and music in the Abbey, we will now retrace the steps of her great Commonwealth tour begun 70 years ago.’
Among the arrivals before the royals were Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss along with David Walliams who brought his mother Kathleen.
Also attending this afternoon were Sarah Clarke, Lady Usher of the Black Rod, Mark Spencer, Leader of the House of Commons, and US ambassador Philip Reeker – as well as Baroness Patricia Scotland and MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The Queen said today that it was ‘rewarding to observe a modern, vibrant and connected Commonwealth that combines a wealth of history and tradition with the great social, cultural and technological advances of our time’.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Service this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Westminster Abbey this afternoon ahead of the Commonwealth Service
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she attends the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Westminster Abbey in London this afternoon to attend the Commonwealth Service
The Prince of Wales (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey today
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey today
Princess Alexandria arriving at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London on Commonwealth Day today
Writing from Windsor Castle, the Queen also said she had ‘enjoyed the privilege of hearing what the relationships built across the great reach and diversity of the Commonwealth have meant to people and communities’.
And she said: ‘In these testing times, it is my hope that you can draw strength and inspiration from what we share, as we work together towards a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for all.
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