King Charles III is set to accomplish another first in his reign.
On 13 March, he will be giving his first Commonwealth Day address as monarch at Westminster Abbey.
Previously known as Empire Day, Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday in March and celebrates the Commonwealth of Nations. A service is held at Westminster Abbey, and the monarch attends as the Head of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth nations do not have ambassadors between nations, but rather have High Commissioners; the High Commissioners in London all attend the service.
In addition to diplomats, artists from different Commonwealth nations will attend and perform throughout the service. This year’s performers include the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, the Amalgamation Choir, an all-female choir from Cyprus, and Urukerereza, the Rwandan National Ballet.
King Charles will give his Commonwealth Day address from the Great Pulpit at Westminster Abbey. In 2022, the-then Prince of Wales gave an address on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was recovering from illness.
The Commonwealth of Nations is now made up of 56 nations that span the globe. Combined, the Commonwealth has a population of 2.5 billion people, and over 60% of that population is under 30. The Commonwealth has made focusing on peace and prosperity, largely through climate action, a priority.
The theme of Commonwealth Day 2023 is “Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future”. This is a particularly poignant theme, as 2023 has been made the Year of Peace in the Commonwealth. A new Commonwealth Flag for Peace will be displayed.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will not be the only members of the Royal Family to attend the Commonwealth Day service this year. The Prince and Princess of Wales will be at the Service, as will The Earl and Countess of Wessex, and The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
