Anti-monarchy protesters chanted 'Not My King' as King Charles and senior members of the royal family arrived at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service. Dozens of demonstrators from the group Republic gathered outside the Abbey, also shouting 'Charlie, Charlie, time to go', but were met with boos from other sections of the crowd and drowned out by the tolling of the Abbey bells.
The King and Queen Camilla, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, attended the annual event celebrating the 56-nation Commonwealth. In a written message in the service programme, King Charles described the Commonwealth as 'precious' and a forum for 'honest discussion' in an 'increasingly fragmented' world, and highlighted its 'untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners'.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and senior cabinet members were among the 1,800 guests inside the Abbey. The service featured artistic contributions including a world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony by Rekesh Chauhan, a dance collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments, and a reflection from former Strictly Come Dancing judge Oti Mabuse. Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society, also gave an address.
In his message, the King noted that nearly two-thirds of the Commonwealth's population is under 30, and called for shared responsibility to ensure they inherit a world where they can flourish. He stressed the importance of protecting the planet and restoring the natural world, particularly as climate change is a 'lived reality' for many member states. The biennial Commonwealth meeting is scheduled for November in Antigua and Barbuda.
