The BBC has sparked outrage by deciding to drop the live broadcast of the Commonwealth Day service for the first time in 37 years. The annual event, held at Westminster Abbey, is a highlight of the royal calendar and has been shown live since 1989, except in 2021 due to the pandemic.
This year's service on 9 March will be attended by senior royals including King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Anne. The BBC will air an episode of Escape to the Country on BBC One instead, citing funding challenges as the reason.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day Ceremony in the same way we’ve done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges. We can confirm BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel.'
The service will include an address from Geri Halliwell-Horner, a reflection from Oti Mabuse, and a poem by Selina Tusitala Marsh. It will feature the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony by Rekesh Chauhan and a dance collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments.
King Charles will issue his annual Commonwealth message, and the biennial Commonwealth meeting will take place in November in Antigua and Barbuda. The service celebrates collaboration as the defining strength of the modern family of nations.
