The King, Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales today led the largest gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, marking Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey.
Kate dazzled in a navy Catherine Walker dress coat and five-strand pearl necklace that belonged to her husband’s late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
His Majesty, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, ignored a small but vocal group of anti-monarchist protestors as they arrived at the Abbey to support the King and Commonwealth.
It came amid reports that Charles is set to discuss the thorny issue of his brother Andrew and his place in the order of succession with Commonwealth leaders later.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took time away from the Iran crisis to join dignitaries from around the world in central London this afternoon. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was also in attendance.
Prince Albert of Monaco, Geri Horner and her husband Christian joined an array of stars and politicians in the Abbey.
Charles and the Queen were the last guests to arrive after William and Kate, who were welcomed at the Abbey door by Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster.
The King and Queen then greeted all the other royals just inside the church before walking through the Abbey together as a family.
Charles’s annual address to the family of nations was included in a special booklet given to the congregation. He said in his message: ‘Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good…’
He also spoke of tackling ‘testing moments’ in a time of ‘great challenge’.
The Princess of Wales mingled with choir members who took part in the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London
The King and ex-Spice Girl Geri Horner greeted each other, having met several times before
The Princess of Wales received a bouquet of flowers when leaving the service on Monday
The Princess of Wales arriving at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
Prince William was with his wife for the annual service celebrating the Commonwealth
The Princess of Wales was all in blue for the event
Kate smiles as she walks into the Abbey
King Charles III and Queen Camilla (front) and the Prince and Princess of Wales as they enter Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration
The royals ignore protests from anti-monarchy group Republic outside
The King praised the ‘precious’ Commonwealth, describing it as a forum for ‘honest discussion’ aimed at improving the lives of billions in an ‘increasingly fragmented’ world.
Charles has also used his Commonwealth Day message to highlight how the institution has ‘untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners’.
His words to the 56 member states of the family of nations were released ahead of Monday’s Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
The King is the titular Head of the Commonwealth, following on from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth.
Earlier large crowds had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal party, who joined an 1,800-strong congregation celebrating the historic ‘family of nations’, formed in the breakdown of the British empire but now comprised of 56 independent member countries, united by ‘shared values including a commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality for its 2.7 billion citizens’.
The royal party arrived to a fanfare inside the Abbey with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arriving first, followed by The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and then the Prince and Princess of Wales.
All were greeted by the Dean of Westminster and presented to the Chapter and members of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
They included Commonwealth Secretary General, The Hon Shirley Botchwey, and Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Janet Cooper.
Outside the faintest occasional cry of ‘what did you know’ could be heard from a small group of flag-waving anti-monarchist protesters from the Republic pressure group in reference to Andrew, but they were competing with the sound of the abbey bells and a group of Commonwealth musicians.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (second right) were in attendance
Princess Anne was among the senior royals in the congregation
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, arrive for the service
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Ambassador of Monaco to the United Kingdom, Evelyne Genta
Geri and Christian Horner attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service
Geri gave an address, pictured inside the Abbey
Dancer Oti Mabuse speaking during the annual Commonwealth Day Service
The Princess of Wales speaks to attendees at the end of the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
Britain’s King Charles III speaks to Oti Mabuse at the annual service
Also among the guests at the ceremony was the former Spice Girl and pop star Geri Horner
The King and Queen were the last to arrive, shaking the hands of those in the line-up before greeting the rest of the family with warm kisses. Charles opened up his arms to welcome to his eldest son and heir, with a smile of delight.
The ladies slightly giggled amongst themselves about the size of their hats, Princess Anne smilingly indicating to Catherine that she wouldn’t even attempt a kiss. Others just offered a peck on one cheek, instead of the traditional two for fear of knocking their sizeable headwear.
Led by the King, the family then formed into a processional group ahead of the National Anthem.
The party walked to their seats behind the Commonwealth Mace Bearer during the first hymn ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation’.
In his annual Commonwealth Day message – which this year emphasises the theme of ‘collaboration’ – King Charles acknowledged deeply challenging times globally, but insisted it was also an opportunity for the Commonwealth to demonstrate its ‘enduring spirit’.
In his address, which was printed in the order of service, he said: ‘We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility.
‘Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed.
‘Ours is a remarkable association that spans every ocean and continent. Embracing an extraordinary diversity of culture, language and faith, our Commonwealth family is united by shared values of justice, democracy, opportunity, compassion and mutual respect.
‘In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, this voluntary union of free association remains rare and precious – a forum for open and honest discussion and debate to help improve the lives of the nearly three billion people who call our Member States home.’
The Princess of Wales is seen here leaving Westminster Abbey following the event
The King kisses his sister Anne who was among the other members of the royal contingent
Kate was equally pleased to see the Princess Royal
Prince Albert of Monaco waves as he departs after the annual Commonwealth Day service ceremony at Westminster Abbey
The King and Queen greeted Westminster Abbey choristers
Those singing at the service were also welcomed by the King’s sister Princess Anne
He stressed that the organisation holds ‘untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners’ – which some might consider a backhanded nod towards President Trump and his controversial trade tariffs.
He added: ‘With nearly two-thirds of our population under the age of thirty, we are a family defined by youth and possibility. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that they inherit not only hope and ambition, but also a world in which they can flourish.’
The King also used his message to highlight an environmental message, saying the inheritance of the Commonwealth ‘depends upon the health of our planet and on the restoration of the natural world on which we depend’.
He continued: ‘Across so many parts of our Commonwealth climate change is not an abstract or distant threat, but a lived reality. The stewardship of Nature, the protection of oceans and forests, and the pursuit of prosperity secured in harmony with the natural world are duties we owe not only to one another, but to generations yet unborn.’
Highlighting this autumn’s biannual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, the King stressed that the organisation was very much the sum of its parts, saying: ‘We are reminded that the great gatherings of our nations are strengthened by the daily endeavours of their people. What distinguishes the Commonwealth is not only what our governments resolve together, but what our people do each day in countless acts of service, enterprise and creativity.
‘When leaders meet, they do so on behalf of millions whose quiet determination, resilience and generosity give true meaning to our shared endeavour.
‘Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.’
Today’s service brought together government representatives, young people and leading voices from the creative community, providing an example of ‘the Commonwealth at its best – its diverse voices harmonised in common purpose’.
The King, seen leading the way in alongside the Queen, used his Commonwealth Day message to highlight an environmental message
Strictly star Oti Mabuse spoke at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
Flag bearers are seen carrying the flags of the Commonwealth nations at the annual event
Kate dazzled in a navy Catherine Walker dress coat and five-strand pearl necklace that belonged to her husband’s late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II
The princess beamed outside Westminster Abbey while holding the bouquet presented to her
This years’ Service featured several landmark artistic moments including the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony composed by Rekesh Chauhan and a bespoke dance collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments Ltd., uniting classical ballet and Bollywood in a powerful expression of cross-cultural partnership.
The Service also included an address from Royal Commonwealth Society Ambassador Geri Halliwell-Horner, a reflection from dancer and television personality Oti Mabuse and a poem from Selina Tusitala Marsh, the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate.
Additional performances included a Scottish Ceilidh band, the Melodians Steel Drum Orchestra, and further special reflections and readings from notable guests.
At the end of the service, the Royal Family undertook a line-up with some of the performers and those who gave readings including former Spice Girl Geri Horner and Oti Mabuse.
The King looked delighted to see Horner, who leant forwards and gave His Majesty a kiss. Queen Camilla was slightly awkwardly drawn into a hug by the ex-singer, but chatted warmly with her having also met her before on several occasions.
Even the Duchess of Gloucester did not escape her greetings, also being drawn into for a hug.
Charles complimented the dancers, who performed barefoot on the abbey’s cold floor.
The Prince of Wales also told them: ;How was the dancing? I wondered what the marble was like with bare feet. Good, fantastic. Thank you very much.’
His wife Catherine added: ‘To see this is such an amazing venue.’
Princess Anne also commented: ‘Interesing challenge. The surface!’
The Duke of Gloucester remarked: ‘You were being thrown about! Plenty of practice.’
His wife, the Duchess, added: ‘You are still in bare feet. It was absolutely wonderful.’
Over the last 40 years the King has visited 48 Commonwealth countries, many of them on numerous occasions.
The King and the Queen are pictured attending the annual service at Westminster Abbey
Musical great Joan Armatrading was among the stars
Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch represented the opposition
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey was among the guests
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service
Lewis Stewart with the King’s Baton and Dame Laura Kenny with the Commonwealth Mace attend the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service
Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, is seen smiling at the end of Monday’s event
Members of the choir, both children and adults, met the Princess of Wales
The Princess of Wales was the epitome of spring style in a bright blue ensemble for today’s Commonwealth Day service
Kate, 44, lit up the grey skies in a cobalt coatdress from one of her favorite designers – Catherine Walker – on Monday, as she joined her husband William at Westminster Abbey
It came amid reports King Charles is ‘likely to discuss’ the removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession during a meeting with Commonwealth leaders today.
The monarch, 77, will join leaders of the 56 member countries to mark the annual celebrations during a service at Westminster Abbey later this afternoon.
It will also be the largest gathering of Royal Family members since Andrew’s arrest last month following allegations he shared classified information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Charles attended the congregation of 1,800 people, made up of politicians and diplomats.
But in private, he is also likely to discuss removing Andrew, who denies any wrongdoing and remains under police investigation, from the line of succession.
The 66-year-old is currently eighth in line to the throne, with his removal requiring legislation in the UK and the approval of the 14 other Commonwealth realms where the King is head of state.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney became the latest Commonwealth leader to call for Andrew’s removal after describing his actions as ‘deplorable’.
It followed interventions from the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand, who previously said they would support the UK Government in any such plans.
Andrew (pictured) was arrested last month following allegations he shared classified information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein
It is understood that the UK Government will consider introducing legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession once police have finished their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother.
Sources also told the Times that no decision has yet been made on whether Andrew’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will also be removed.
Beatrice, 37, as the oldest of the two siblings, is ninth in line to the throne, followed by her two children and Eugenie, 35.
The pair were recently ‘blindsided’ by a decision to prevent them joining the rest of the Royal Family at Royal Ascot this year amid concerns about the unfolding scandal involving the House of York and their ties with Epstein.
Defence Secretary John Healey last month ordered a review of military files for any evidence that Epstein used RAF bases to traffic girls into the UK.
Mr Healey tasked officials with trawling through more than two decades of Ministry of Defence records and handing over to police any flight logs linked to the late paedophile financier.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Gordon Brown has written to six police forces demanding investigations into whether Andrew used jets, funded by the taxpayer, and RAF bases during his time as trade envoy to meet Epstein.
Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011, when he stepped down amid controversy over his friendship with Epstein.
