Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie are usually common attendees on the Commonwealth Day Service.
Duchess Sophie was not current on the Commonwealth Service (Picture: Jonathan Brady – Pool/Getty Photographs)
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are usually common attendees on the annual Commonwealth Day Service, however weren’t current at Westminster Abbey at this time. As a substitute, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales led the most important gathering of senior royals, together with Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, in addition to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
It got here amid reviews that King Charles is about to debate the problem of his disgraced brother Andrew and his place within the order of succession with Commonwealth leaders later this week. King Charles’s annual tackle to the household of countries was included in a particular booklet given to the congregation.
The message learn: “Working collectively, we are able to be certain that the Commonwealth continues to face as a power for good…”
Final 12 months, Duchess Sophie missed the occasion to journey to New York and help ladies’s and ladies’ rights with Plan Worldwide UK. Edward, whose birthday was the identical day because the occasion, additionally missed the service.
This 12 months, neither the duke or duchess might be current at Commonwealth Day once more.
The royals who attend, together with 1,800 friends, will participate in readings and performances that mirror the spirit of the Commonwealth this afternoon.
This 12 months’s theme is concentrated on highlighting “collaboration because the defining power of the fashionable Commonwealth”.
The senior royals have been current at Westminster Abbey (Picture: Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP through Getty Photographs)
The King is the titular Head of the Commonwealth, following on from his late mom, Queen Elizabeth.
For the primary time in 37 years, the BBC will not be broadcasting at this time’s service stay. As a substitute, they are going to be displaying a property present – Escape to the Nation.
The newest information and gossip from the Royal Household plus chosen affords and competitions Subscribe Invalid e mail
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embody adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
The BBC mentioned in regards to the choice to not air the service stay: “Our choice to not broadcast the Commonwealth Day ceremony in the identical approach we have performed in earlier years displays the tough decisions we have now to make in gentle of our funding challenges.
“BBC Information plans to cowl the service throughout its platforms, together with the BBC One bulletins and rolling information channel.”
Leave a Reply