The Prince of Wales led the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on behalf of The Queen, in a ceremony focused on a common future.
Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Alexandra, Prince Charles led the Royal Family on behalf of The Queen, who pulled out of the service on a few days ago owing to mobility issues.
The Commonwealth Day theme for 2022 centres around The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and her lifelong dedication to public service. The Commonwealth website notes that ‘Delivering a Common Future’, the theme, is meant to highlight “how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance and boosting trade.”
In a speech to those gathered, the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, said: “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.”
The Commonwealth Day Service featured musical performances by Imtiaz Dharker and Jasdeep Degun, Emeli Sandé and The London African Gospel Choir, Mica Paris and the Members of Whānau London Voices, and Nadine Benjamin and the Commonwealth Ensemble.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a reading, as did Elizabeth Kite and Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland.
The Queen released her annual Commonwealth Day message, focusing on the future and her commitment to life-long service in her Platinum Jubilee year.
“In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, it has given me pleasure to renew the promise I made in 1947, that my life will always be devoted in service,” she wrote, adding that “Today, it is 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. That the Commonwealth stands ever taller is a credit to all who have been involved.”
Speaking to the future, she wrote: “I hope we can deepen our resolve to support and serve one another, and endeavour to ensure the Commonwealth remains an influential force for good in our world for many generations to come.”
The Queen’s full Commonwealth Day message can be read here.
