The Princess of Wales was the crowning glory at Westminster Abbey today as she and the King made their first appearance at the annual Commonwealth Day Service for two years.
Both the monarch and his daughter-in-law Kate were reluctantly forced to miss last year’s key royal event as they were undergoing treatment for their respective cancers.
This year however, Charles led a large showing of senior royals which also included Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Among the stars joining them today were former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra Kemp and actress Baroness Floella Benjamin.
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Prime Minister of Samoa Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland.
The royal party were greeted by the Dean and Westminster before meeting members of the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, a community band from the world’s first Hindu eco-temple in Kingsbury, North London.
Following their performance at the Great West Door, the King – who is head of the Commonwealth – and his family formed a procession behind the Mace Bearer, three-time Paralympic champion and two-time world champion track cyclist Kadeena Cox.
Heritage Sanmi Lawal, a Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network member from Nigeria, carried the Commonwealth flag.
Meanwhile protesters from the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic were again demonstrating outside, this time with a 15ft dinosaur puppet called ‘Chuck the Rex’.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
King Charles and Camilla at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess Royal attends the annual Commonwealth Day service of celebration today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
King Charles III arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the annual Commonwealth Day service today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
It comes as the King emphasised the ‘vital role’ of the global ‘Family of Nations’ at a time of international conflict and uncertainty in his annual message.
He said: ‘Last October, leaders from across the Commonwealth came together in Samoa to reaffirm their ‘belief in the value of the Commonwealth as a trusted forum where diverse voices of our member states, the large and the small, the young and the old, come together as one family.’
‘In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.’
The Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political associations of states, with its roots in the British Empire.
However the last four countries to join the 56 member organisation had no links with British colonialism, emphasising its targeted role as a voluntary organisation of independent and equal nations.
Its population is in excess of 2.7billion, with some 60 per cent aged 29 or under, and a combined gross domestic product of more than $13trillion.
To mark Commonwealth Day, a global celebration of the organisation, the King also highlighted how, as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, more than one a half million men and women who fought and served in it came from member states.
He said: ‘The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today. Leaders recently reiterated the importance of collaboration for peace and human rights, as well as for the restoration of Nature both on land and in the oceans.
‘As we mark this Commonwealth Day together, there is no more important task than to restore the disrupted harmony of our entire planet. For the sake of our younger generations’ threatened future, I can only hope that the Commonwealth will continue its vital work to restore that harmony.’
This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is ‘Together We Thrive’, celebrating the ‘enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family’.
The King last year pre-recorded a video message after postponing his public-facing duties for around three months after being diagnosed with cancer.
The Princess of Wales also missed the service last year after also being diagnosed with cancer. Kate is still making a gradual return to public duties after confirming she is in remission.
Plans have been announced for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ) Days, in what might be ‘our last chance to thank surviving veterans’, said TV presenter and actor Ross Kemp who helped launch the countdown to events.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner at Westminster Abbey today
Geri Halliwell arrives for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends the celebrations for Commonwealth Day today
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch attends the Commonwealth Day service today
Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King and Lady Mayoress Florence King today
Members of the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, a community band from the world’s first Hindu eco-temple in Kingsbury, North London, perform outside Westminster Abbey today
Commonwealth Mace Bearer, three-time Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox, this afternoon
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland arrives at Westminster Abbey today
The Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band perform outside Westminster Abbey today
Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra Kemp at the Commonwealth Day service in London today
Baroness Floella Benjamin at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
Prime Minister of Samoa Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa arrives at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
Charles said in his message: ‘This year, the world reflects on the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War Two.
‘More than one and-a-half million men and women who served during the War came from across the Commonwealth to support the United Kingdom and its allies.
‘On this special anniversary, we remember with particular pride and everlasting gratitude the untold sacrifice and selflessness of so many from around our Family of Nations who gave their lives in that dreadful conflict.’
Today’s service will feature special musical performances including traditional Masai singers, percussionists, musicians, acrobats and dancers.
Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading will perform an arrangement of her well-known hit Love And Affection for the congregation.
Royal fans including Jay Foster (right) outside Westminster Abbey for the service today
Republic protesters with dinosaur mascot Chuck the Rex outside Westminster Abbey today
Royal fan Jay Foster, from London, waits outside Westminster Abbey for the service today
Republic protesters with dinosaur mascot Chuck the Rex outside Westminster Abbey today
Demonstrators from political organisation Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) protest at Parliament Square ahead of the annual Commonwealth Day service today
Republic chief executive Graham Smith leads a protest outside Westminster Abbey today
A 15-foot dinosaur puppet called Chuck the Rex is displayed as part of an anti-monarchy campaign by the organisation Republic opposite Westminster Abbey in London this afternoon
Republic protesters with dinosaur mascot Chuck the Rex outside Westminster Abbey today
People at Parliament Square in London as Commonwealth flags are on display this afternoon
Also today, the King will launch the inaugural King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, officially starting the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception this evening.
They will hear a commemorative song by Andrew Lloyd Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.
Commonwealth Day is also being marked by the release of a playlist Charles has compiled following a collaboration with Apple Music for his King’s Music Room show.
Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones and contemporary artists Davido and Raye are among those who make it into Charles’s top tracks from across the Commonwealth.
Since 1969 the King has visited 48 of the Commonwealth states.
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