Last Year, King Charles was absent from the annual Commonwealth Day service following the shock news that he had been diagnosed with cancer. The Princess of Wales also did not attend as she recovered from major surgery. However, this year the senior royals will be out in force at the Westminster Abbey service on Monday, as the King's message speaks of uncertain times and the importance of the Commonwealth’s ability to bring people together.
“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,” King Charles said in his message this year, a small part of which has been released by Buckingham Palace. “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.”
King Charles became Head of the Commonwealth in 2022, taking over from Queen Elizabeth when she died. Unlike his position as Head of State in the UK and other Commonwealth Realms however, the role is not a hereditary one. Instead, Charles was voted in during a meeting at Windsor Castle in 2018 after Queen Elizabeth had said she would like him to succeed her.
There are currently 56 independent countries in the Commonwealth. Most were formerly under British rule as part of the British Empire. However, the last four countries to join—Mozambique, Rwanda, Gabon and Togo—have no link to the former Empire.
The Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey is held annually on the second Monday in March. In 2020, it was memorably the final engagement that Harry and Meghan carried out before leaving the UK and stepping back as working royals.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.
