King Charles releases sneak peak of his Commonwealth Day message | Royal | News

King Charles will use his annual Commonwealth Day message to urge members to work together and “stand as a force for good” during “a time of great challenge” across the world. In a written message for the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, Charles will call for the “enduring spirit of the Commonwealth” during “testing moments”, as conflicts continue to rage across the world.

The annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations will be marked with a special service attended by senior members of the Royal Family, leading politicians and diplomats, among a congregation of 1,800. Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society, which stages the event, will give an address, and there will be a reflection from former Strictly Come Dancing judge Oti Mabuse and a poem from Selina Tusitala Marsh, the inaugural Commonwealth poet laureate.

In an extract from his message, which will be released in full on Sunday, the King says: “We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility.

“Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed.”

It comes less than two weeks after tensions in the Middle East escalated into armed conflict, with missile and drone strikes continuing across Iran and the Gulf.

More than 1,200 people have been killed in Iran since America and Israel waged war on the country. Retaliatory strikes have occurred across the region, including Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, the UAE and Qatar.

Ukraine continues to defend against Russia’s full-scale invasion, and the bloody civil war continues in Sudan.

The King will sum up his reflections by urging member nations to come together “in the service of its people”.

“Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.”

As head of the Commonwealth, Charles issues an annual message to the 56 member nations, which will hold their biennial meeting this year during the first week of November in the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.

Inspired by the meeting’s theme – accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth – the service will celebrate collaboration as the defining strength of the modern family of nations.

Among the congregation will be Commonwealth high commissioners, young people and leading voices from the creative community.

The King and Queen will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

It is understood that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are unable to attend as they will be in Italy attending the Paralympic Winter Games.

The service will feature landmark artistic moments, including the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony, composed by Rekesh Chauhan, and a bespoke dance collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments, uniting classical ballet and Bollywood in a powerful expression of cross-cultural partnership.

Other performers include a Scottish ceilidh band, the Melodians Steel Orchestra and special reflections and readings from guests.