The Princess of Wales was the crowning glory at Westminster Abbey today as she returned to the event for the first time since cancer treatment – and shared a sweet moment with her husband as the pair were seen laughing and beaming together.
Both Kate and her father-in-law King Charles were reluctantly forced to miss last year’s key royal event as they were undergoing treatment for their respective cancers.
This year however, the King led a large showing of senior royals which also included Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
William and Kate – who wore a dress by Catherine Walker and hat by Gina Foster – were welcomed by Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen.
The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared to be sharing a joke as they arrived happily together before taking their seats in the central London abbey.
The monarch and his wife then arrived, with Camilla wearing a pink wool crepe and satin coat dress by Fiona Clare and pink beret hat by Philip Treacy.
Among the stars joining them today were former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra Kemp and actress Baroness Floella Benjamin.
Kate was making her return to the annual event after having to miss last year’s service
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a sweet moment as they took their places in Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
King Charles and Camilla at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
(left to right) King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the Commonwealth Day service today
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales at the service this afternoon
The Princess Royal attends the annual Commonwealth Day service of celebration today
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Prime Minister of Samoa Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland.
The royal party were greeted by the Dean and Westminster before meeting members of the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, a community band from the world’s first Hindu eco-temple in Kingsbury, North London.
Following their performance at the Great West Door, the King – who is head of the Commonwealth – and his family formed a procession behind the Mace Bearer, three-time Paralympic champion and two-time world champion track cyclist Kadeena Cox.
Heritage Sanmi Lawal, a Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network member from Nigeria, carried the Commonwealth flag.
Meanwhile protesters from the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic were again demonstrating outside, this time with a 15ft dinosaur puppet called ‘Chuck the Rex’.
The Princess of Wales is presented with flowers after attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
The Princess Of Wales meeting performers including Joan Armatrading, at the end of the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
King Charles and Camilla at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales curtseys at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
King Charles III arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Prince and Princess of Wales sing at Westminster Abbey at the service this afternoon
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Prince and Princess of Wales sit in Westminster Abbey for the service this afternoon
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the annual Commonwealth Day service today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
Queen Camilla walks into the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
(left to right) King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the Commonwealth Day service today
It comes as the King emphasised the ‘vital role’ of the global ‘Family of Nations’ at a time of international conflict and uncertainty in his annual message.
He said: ‘Last October, leaders from across the Commonwealth came together in Samoa to reaffirm their ‘belief in the value of the Commonwealth as a trusted forum where diverse voices of our member states, the large and the small, the young and the old, come together as one family.’
‘In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.’
The Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political associations of states, with its roots in the British Empire.
However the last four countries to join the 56 member organisation had no links with British colonialism, emphasising its targeted role as a voluntary organisation of independent and equal nations.
Its population is in excess of 2.7billion, with some 60 per cent aged 29 or under, and a combined gross domestic product of more than $13trillion.
To mark Commonwealth Day, a global celebration of the organisation, the King also highlighted how, as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, more than one a half million men and women who fought and served in it came from member states.
He said: ‘The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today. Leaders recently reiterated the importance of collaboration for peace and human rights, as well as for the restoration of Nature both on land and in the oceans.
‘As we mark this Commonwealth Day together, there is no more important task than to restore the disrupted harmony of our entire planet. For the sake of our younger generations’ threatened future, I can only hope that the Commonwealth will continue its vital work to restore that harmony.’
This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is ‘Together We Thrive’, celebrating the ‘enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family’.
The King last year pre-recorded a video message after postponing his public-facing duties for around three months after being diagnosed with cancer.
The Princess of Wales also missed the service last year after also being diagnosed with cancer. Kate is still making a gradual return to public duties after confirming she is in remission.
Plans have been announced for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ) Days, in what might be ‘our last chance to thank surviving veterans’, said TV presenter and actor Ross Kemp who helped launch the countdown to events.
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess Royal attends the annual Commonwealth Day service of celebration today
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
King Charles III arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales at the service this afternoon
Queen Camilla walks into the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the annual Commonwealth Day service today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
The Princess Royal attends the annual Commonwealth Day service of celebration today
King Charles III arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
The Duchess of Gloucester arrives for the annual Commonwealth Day service today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
The Duchess of Gloucester arrives for the annual Commonwealth Day service today
Cynthia Wakuna reading from the Nave Pulpit during the Commonwealth Day service today
Charles said in his message: ‘This year, the world reflects on the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War Two.
‘More than one and-a-half million men and women who served during the War came from across the Commonwealth to support the United Kingdom and its allies.
‘On this special anniversary, we remember with particular pride and everlasting gratitude the untold sacrifice and selflessness of so many from around our Family of Nations who gave their lives in that dreadful conflict.’
Today’s service featured special musical performances including traditional Masai singers, percussionists, musicians, acrobats and dancers.
Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading performed an arrangement of her well-known hit Love And Affection for the congregation.
Britain’s Got Talent 2015 semi-finalists, violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason and his sister Jeneba accompanying on piano, performed during the service.
They are from a famous musical family which includes their classical music star sibling Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who arranged their performance piece Deep River by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
The Dean of Westminster said in his bidding: ‘We gather, in this house of prayer, to rejoice in our common life. We are God’s people in a Commonwealth of Nations.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner at Westminster Abbey today
Geri Halliwell arrives for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends the celebrations for Commonwealth Day today
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch attends the Commonwealth Day service today
Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King and Lady Mayoress Florence King today
Members of the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, a community band from the world’s first Hindu eco-temple in Kingsbury, North London, perform outside Westminster Abbey today
Commonwealth Mace Bearer, three-time Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox, this afternoon
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland arrives at Westminster Abbey today
The Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band perform outside Westminster Abbey today
Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra Kemp at the Commonwealth Day service in London today
Baroness Floella Benjamin at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today
Prime Minister of Samoa Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa arrives at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
‘As different peoples we rejoice in this opportunity to reflect, in mutual respect, on our shared dignity and commitment to the service of others. We celebrate the love and affection that binds us in unity and gives us resilience and strength.’
The arriving congregation heard the pulsating drumming of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, a Hindu Scottish pipe band in tartan dress and kilts based in north-west London, while inside the abbey musical performances included musicians, acrobats and singers from the Masai Cultural Arts team.
Baroness Scotland, secretary-general of the Commonwealth, said the Act of Affirmation which included the words: ‘United in kinship and common purpose, we cherish the rich tapestry of thought, culture, tradition, and experience which strengthens our bonds.’
At the end, the congregation responded: ‘We affirm our belief in the Commonwealth as a powerful influence for good in the world, and pledge ourselves to its service, now and for the future.’
Royal fans including Jay Foster (right) outside Westminster Abbey for the service today
Republic protesters with dinosaur mascot Chuck the Rex outside Westminster Abbey today
Royal fan Jay Foster, from London, waits outside Westminster Abbey for the service today
Republic protesters with dinosaur mascot Chuck the Rex outside Westminster Abbey today
Demonstrators from political organisation Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) protest at Parliament Square ahead of the annual Commonwealth Day service today
Republic chief executive Graham Smith leads a protest outside Westminster Abbey today
A 15-foot dinosaur puppet called Chuck the Rex is displayed as part of an anti-monarchy campaign by the organisation Republic opposite Westminster Abbey in London this afternoon
Republic protesters with dinosaur mascot Chuck the Rex outside Westminster Abbey today
People at Parliament Square in London as Commonwealth flags are on display this afternoon
Also today, the King will launch the inaugural King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, officially starting the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception this evening.
They will hear a commemorative song by Andrew Lloyd Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.
Commonwealth Day is also being marked by the release of a playlist Charles has compiled following a collaboration with Apple Music for his King’s Music Room show.
Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones and contemporary artists Davido and Raye are among those who make it into Charles’s top tracks from across the Commonwealth.
Since 1969 the King has visited 48 of the Commonwealth states.
