King and Princess of Wales return to Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day service
The King and the Princess of Wales have returned to Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service, a year after both missed it following their cancer diagnoses.
The King will lead the nation at the annual service on Monday, joined by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The senior members of the Royal family will walk in procession up the aisle of the abbey, where 2,000 guests from all over the Commonwealth will gather to hear music and poetry.
In his Commonwealth Day message, printed in the programme, the King paid tribute to the 'untold sacrifice and selflessness' of Commonwealth forces who answered the call to fight with Britain and its allies in the Second World War.
He wrote of those 'from around our family of nations who gave their lives in that dreadful conflict', sharing the 'particular pride and everlasting gratitude' he felt for their contribution. He also emphasised the need to restore the 'disrupted harmony of our entire planet' as the most important task facing humanity.
The King, who is head of the Commonwealth, gives an annual address to the family of 56 nations. Last year, he pre-recorded a video message after postponing public duties for around three months after his cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales, who missed the service last year after also being diagnosed with cancer, will be among the congregation as she continues a gradual return to public duties following her confirmation that she is in remission.
The King's message calls on the people of the Commonwealth to come together, saying: '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's ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time, and remains as ever-important today.'
This year's Commonwealth Day theme is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the 'enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family'. During the service, Joan Armatrading, the singer-songwriter, will perform an arrangement of her hit Love And Affection.
Also on Monday, the King will launch the inaugural King's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, officially starting the countdown to the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The King and Queen will be guests of Baroness Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, at the Commonwealth Day reception on Monday evening, and 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 the King has compiled following a collaboration with Apple Music for a programme called The King's Music Room.
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