The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall today joined a Commonwealth Day service and reception. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth, which represents a global network of 53 countries and almost 2.4 billion people.
Led by her Majesty The Queen and attended by other members of the Royal Family, the events helped reflect on the remarkable institution of Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Day service took place at Westminster Abbey and featured a procession of flags, with a flag bearer representing each of the 53 nations of the Commonwealth.
The theme for this years’ service was "A Connected Commonwealth" which highlights the co-operation between the culturally diverse family of nations who work together in friendship.
Guests at the service included Prime Minister Theresa May, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, faith leaders and more than 800 schoolchildren and young people. The service featured performances by music group Clean Bandit and tenor Alfie Boe.
The Queen released a Commonwealth Day message, which read: "In April last year, I welcomed the leaders of our 53 nations to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and we all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope, and inspires us to find ways of protecting our planet, and our people.
"We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of co-operation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw.
"With enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that whilst the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be intangible, its impact is very real." Read Her Majesty’s message in full.
In the evening, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended a reception at Marlborough House in London. Guests include representatives from a number of Commonwealth organisations including members of the Commonwealth Youth Council.
