King Charles III and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, gracefully attended the annual Commonwealth Day service, marking a poignant return a year after they were compelled to cancel their participation due to undergoing cancer treatments. Held at the historic Westminster Abbey on Monday, the event celebrated the Commonwealth's "profound and positive impact upon the world." Alongside them, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer gathered to honor the occasion. This appearance marked the King's first at the service in two years, while Catherine's absence last year was due to her valiant battle through chemotherapy, which she has now successfully concluded.
As the nation prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the King paid heartfelt tribute to the "heroic sacrifices and selflessness" demonstrated by the Commonwealth forces. He emphasized that restoring the "fractured harmony of our entire planet" stands as humanity's most "pressing" challenge. In a poignant address included in a booklet distributed to the attendees, the King penned: "Over a million and a half men and women from across the Commonwealth came to support the United Kingdom and its allies during the war." He continued, "On this significant anniversary, we remember with profound pride and eternal gratitude the immeasurable sacrifices and selflessness of countless individuals from our global family of nations who perished in that harrowing conflict."
This year's Commonwealth Day, themed "Together We Thrive," celebrates the "everlasting spirit of the Commonwealth family." During his invocation, the Dean of Westminster spoke movingly: "As diverse peoples, we cherish this opportunity to reflect, with mutual respect, upon our shared dignity and dedication to serving others. We celebrate the boundless love and affection that unites us in unity, granting us resilience and strength."
Among the esteemed performers were Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, a mesmerizing Hindu Scottish pipe band, and a vibrant ensemble of musicians, acrobats, and singers from the Masai Cultural Arts team. The talented violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason and his sister Jeneba, on the piano, also added their musical prowess to the service.
Outside the abbey, protesters from the anti-monarchy group Republic held banners inscribed with slogans like "Not My King" and "Down with the Crown," voicing their dissent as the service commenced.
