Queen praises ‘optimism’ of Commonwealth
THE QUEEN led the country in marking the “enduring commitment” of Commonwealth celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the family of nations.
With her family gathered around her, the Queen joined the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey to honour the institution which has been a pivotal part of her 66-year reign as part of celebrations for Commonwealth Day.
The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York were among the guests, with the Prime Minister, Theresa May, High Commissioners and hundreds of schoolchildren.
In her message to mark Commonwealth Day, the head of state has praised how the institution has inspired its member states to find ways of protecting the planet and its citizens. Millions of people are “drawn together” because of the collective values shared by the institution, the Queen wrote in a message featured in the order of service.
She wrote: “In April last year, I welcomed the leaders of our 53 nations to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and we all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope, and inspires us to find ways of protecting our planet, and our people.
“We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of co-operation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw.
“With enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that whilst the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be intangible, its impact is very real.”
Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met young Canadians who are forging ahead in the fields of fashion, tech entrepreneurship, business and the arts.
The couple visited Canada House to attend the event showcasing the best of Canadian talent in the UK.
They were welcomed by Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK, Janice Charette, and signed a visitors’ book in the lobby of the building.