Senior members of the Royal Household have arrived at Westminster Abbey for right now’s Commonwealth Day Service.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey (Picture: Getty)
Senior members of the Royal Household gathered for the primary time for the reason that arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor this afternoon to have fun Commonwealth Day. The King and Queen publicly united with the Prince and Princess of Wales for the annual service, having arrived at Westminster Abbey amid noisy protests from the anti-monarchy group Republic.
Dozens of campaigners held large yellow placards that learn “Abolish the monarchy”, “Not my King” and “Down with the crown”, whereas the group’s CEO Graham Smith led the mantra: “Charlie, Charlie, time to go.” One other signal learn “What do you know?”, in relation to the King’s brother’s current arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public workplace.
Some protesters held indicators that includes photographs of Andrew that have been launched within the Epstein information, writing above the images: “Charles, what do you know?”
Protestors gathered exterior Westminster Abbey from 10am right now (Picture: SmartFrame/Zuma Press)
An activist from the anti-monarchy group Republic holds a placard of Andrew (Picture: SmartFrame/Zuma Press)
Earlier on Monday, his safety have been pictured strolling his canine, which embrace two corgis that after belonged to his mom, the late Queen Elizabeth.
Andrew hasn’t been seen in public since he was photographed slouching at the back of a automotive following his launch from custody.
However the Abbey bells and performances from Commonwealth musicians all however drowned out the chants of the protestors, who began to yell “what do you know?” because the royals pulled up exterior the doorway.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have been the primary of the royal occasion to reach, adopted by The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence after which the Prince and Princess of Wales.
All have been greeted by the Dean of Westminster and offered to the Chapter and members of the Royal Commonwealth Society on the Abbey’s Nice West Door.
The Princess of Wales and Princess Royal snort as Kate’s massive hat will get in the best way of their greeting (Picture: PA)
The Prince and Princess of Wales arriving at Westminster Abbey (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The King and Queen, who wore a vibrant purple coat by Fiona Clare, an identical hat by Philip Treacy and a palm leaf brooch that after belonged to The Queen Mom, arrived final.
After shaking the fingers of these within the line-up, the King and Queen greeted the remainder of the household with heat kisses.
Charles opened up his arms to welcome his eldest son and inheritor, whereas the women erupted right into a match of giggles after they struggled to carry out the standard greeting of kisses on each cheeks as a consequence of their wide-brimmed hats.
Catherine, who was sporting a navy blue Catherine Walker costume and an announcement hat with netting masking the brim, laughed as Anne smiled apologetically at her, indicating that she wouldn’t even try a kiss.
The King’s sister had opted for a smaller hat that rested neatly on her bouffant coiffure, whereas Camilla’s wide-brimmed hat proved equally problematic.
Princess Kate is sporting her lengthy hair down and barely curled (Picture: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)
The household then fashioned right into a processional group forward of the Nationwide Anthem, earlier than strolling to their seats behind the Commonwealth Mace Bearer throughout the first hymn “Reward to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation”.
Among the many company have been Prince Albert of Monaco, the Prime Minister and different senior politicians, opposition chief Kemi Badenoch and outgoing BBC director common Tim Davie.
The company’s choice to tug dwell protection of the service was closely criticised by royal consultants and social media customers. The BBC, which aired Escape to the Nation, blamed finances cuts for not broadcasting the occasion, which has been screened dwell on TV yearly since 1989.
They stated in an announcement: “Our choice to not broadcast the Commonwealth Day ceremony in the identical means we have completed 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.”
The Commonwealth Service, which has been held since 1972, celebrates the various individuals and cultures of the Commonwealth nations.
Anti-monarchy protestors have been standing reverse the doorway to the Abbey (Picture: AP)
The annual church service, a staple within the royal calendar, is the spotlight of a week-long sequence of occasions and actions taking place across the Commonwealth, together with religion and civic gatherings, debates, faculty assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural occasions.
This 12 months’s theme, “Unlocking alternatives collectively for a affluent Commonwealth”, highlights how the member international locations of the Commonwealth can rally collectively to face right now’s challenges and unlock alternatives that may ship shared and lasting prosperity.
As head of the Commonwealth, Charles used his message to say the establishment has “untapped potential for affluent commerce between trusting companions”.
Many international locations, together with the UK, have confronted the specter of commerce tariffs underneath US President Donald Trump, who has used the measure as a revenue-raising train.
He additionally urged members to work collectively and “stand as a pressure for good” throughout “a time of nice problem” internationally.
The hour-long service noticed the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony, composed by Rekesh Chauhan, and a bespoke dance collaboration between the Royal Ballet College and Sapnay Entertainments, uniting classical ballet and Bollywood in an expression of cross-cultural partnership.
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Spice Woman Geri Halliwell-Horner, an envoy for the Royal Commonwealth Society, which levels the occasion, and former Strictly Come Dancing decide Oti Mabuse give readings.
The pair joined the line-up on the finish of the service, with the previous singer enthusiastically hugging the royal occasion.
Charles complemented the dancers, who carried out barefoot on the abbey’s chilly ground.
William additionally instructed them: “How was the dancing? I questioned what the marble was like with naked toes. Good, incredible. Thanks very a lot.”
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As head of the Commonwealth, Charles points an annual message to the 56 member nations, which is able to maintain their biennial Commonwealth assembly this 12 months throughout the first week of November within the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.
Impressed by the assembly’s theme – accelerating partnerships and funding for a affluent commonwealth – the service celebrated collaboration because the defining energy of the fashionable household of countries.
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