Multiple members of the Royal Family have gathered at Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day Service.
The subject of this year's Commonwealth Day theme, Together We Thrive, honours the “enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family”.
Readings and performances will form an important part of the service, which will also emphasise the value of building cohesive, strong communities that uplift and empower their members.
The service is being led by King Charles, who is also the head of the Commonwealth
Last year the King delivered a pre-recorded video message as he had to postpone his public engagements for approximately three months, following his cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales also missed last year's ceremony at Westminster Abbey due to her own cancer diagnosis.
However, both will make their return this year.
Follow below for live updates.
Thank you for joining
17:03 , Nuray BulbulThat’s all from us today as the ceremony comes to an end.
For all the latest news and updates, visit our page over on The Standard website here.
Want to cook like a Royal?
16:55 , Nuray Bulbul
The Commonwealth Day service came as the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle released a new cooking show on Netflix called With Love, Meghan.
In the show, the star cooks while disclosing hosting tricks with her famous friends, including Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer, and others.
Although the show received mixed reviews from viewers, it has already been renewed for a season two.
The Guardian called it “far too boring” while Variety said it’s a “Montecito ego trip not worth taking.”
If you’re one of the viewers that enjoyed the show or you’re just into cooking, The Standard have tracked down all the cooking tools the Duchess uses in the show.
You can read all about it here.
Princess Kate's dress for the Commonwealth Day service catches the eye of social media users
16:39 , Nuray BulbulViewers have taken to X to compliment Princess Kate’s outfit for the annual occasion.
Catherine Walker's red coat dress and Gina Foster's matching hat made up the royal's charming ensemble.
Additionally, she wore the four-stranded, diamond-and-pearl choker that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
She has been seen wearing it on other occasions, most notably at the monarch's funeral in September 2022.
One user tweeted: “this shade of red looks magnificent on her.”
The aura of the #PrincessofWales #PrincessCatherineofWales 🫶🏻🥰❣️😍😻💕💗❣️ this shade of red looks magnificent on her. #CommonwealthDay https://t.co/bwGUD3KCeh
— PRINCESS ROYAL Stef Victoria🇬🇧House of Wales (@VictoriaStefHRH) March 10, 2025
While another user added: “As usual @ChrisJack_Getty provides us with a stunning pair of photos of the Princess of Wales. She is wearing a necklace and earrings belonging to the late Queen”
As usual @ChrisJack_Getty provides us with a stunning pair of photos of the Princess of Wales. She is wearing a necklace and earrings belonging to the late Queen. Happy Commonwealth Day. #PrincessOfWales #CommonwealthDay https://t.co/4SAwkPwPRA
— RoyaltyRobert (@RobertP54606176) March 10, 2025
A third said: “she looks STUNNING.”
HRH The Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey today to celebrate Commonwealth Day she looks STUNNING 🤩 #PrincessOfWales #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/bHfC0Jch54
— Lee Patriot Hood (@Mofoman360) March 10, 2025
Royals leave Westminster Abbey as Commonwealth Day service comes to an end
16:30 , Nuray BulbulThe annual Commonwealth Day service concluded, and the King and Queen, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, have now left Westminster Abbey.
Before leaving, the royals met with the Commonwealth Flag Bearers and other service members.
Protests against the monarchy continue as service underway
16:22 , Nuray BulbulProtesters gathered outside Westminster Abbey moments before the service started holding placards inscribed with "Not My King" slogans.
A statement issued by the anti-monarchy group Republic said, “The royals will face anti-monarchy protests at the Commonwealth Day Service in London on March 10.”
As well as opposing the monarchy, protesters will be demanding an end to the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall. The two estates have been accused of profiting from charities and public services while handing huge incomes to Charles and William.
#CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/kohzqnJGEI
— Tyler Hinton (@tylerhintonnn) March 10, 2025
In a video posted on X, protesters can be heard shouting “Shame on the Commonwealth”.
Prince Andrew was also absent from Royal event today
16:14 , Nuray BulbulPrince Andrew was one of the members absent at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day.
However, he was spotted horse riding around near Windsor Castle earlier today.
His absence doesn’t come as a total shock.
In 2019, the Duke of York withdrew from public service due to his ties to convicted sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Since then, he has only made a few public appearances and has missed all of the big events in the last few months.
Princess Kate and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner twin in Labour red
15:58 , Nuray Bulbul
Princess Kate and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner looked almost identical as they both wore red for the occasion.
Rayner, accompanied by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, wore a red fascinator, patent red heels, and a red Ted Baker puff-sleeve midi dress.
While the Princess wore a red, Catherine Walker coat dress with bow detail, which she initially wore to host a Christmas carol concert, also at Westminster Abbey, in 2021.
You can read more about it here.
Two important Royal Family members missing from service
15:51 , Nuray BulbulThe Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, are two of the most industrious members of the Royal Family, but they were not present at today's ceremony.
Although the pair had previously attended the service together on several occasions.
This year, it is said the Duchess is away in the United States, while the Duke is celebrating his 61st birthday.
The performers behind this year's service
15:45 , Nuray BulbulDuring the ceremony, violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason, who was a semifinalist in the 2015 season of Britain's Got Talent, performed with his sister Jeneba on piano accompaniment.
They are from a well-known musical family, which also includes their sibling, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a classical music star, who orchestrated their rendition of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Deep River.
How the first few moments unfolded
15:41 , Nuray BulbulThe Commonwealth Day service is officially underway.
In case you missed it, here’s how it started:
The Dean and Westminster welcomed the royal party before they met the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, a community band from Kingsbury, North London, the first Hindu eco-temple in the world.
The King, the leader of the Commonwealth, and his family conducted a procession behind the Mace Bearer, three-time Paralympic champion, and two-time world champion track cyclist Kadeena Cox after their performance at the Great West Door.
Sanmi Lawal, a member of the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network, then carried the Commonwealth flag.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy celebrates Commonwealth Day
15:31 , Nuray BulbulForeign Secretary tweets about the importance of this year’s Commonwealth Day.
On #CommonwealthDay, 56 independent member countries come together to celebrate the vital role we all play in tackling global challenges for 2.7 billion citizens.#TogetherWeThrive https://t.co/OAtMVEWiph
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) March 10, 2025
Princess Anne shows support for King Charles
15:24 , Nuray Bulbul
While some members of the Royal Family are absent at the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, Princess Anne has joined the service this year to support King Charles.
Princess of Wales radiates with red dress
15:17 , Nuray Bulbul
The Princess of Wales, who missed last year’s event due to her cancer treatment, arrived to this year’s service looking radiant wearing a dress by Catherine Walker and a hat by Gina Foster.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also in attendance
15:11 , Nuray BulbulConservative leader Kemi Badenoch have also been spotted in the audience.
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The King and Queen Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey
15:03 , Nuray BulbulThe King and Queen Camilla both arrive kicking off this year’s service.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the 2025 Commonwealth Day Service
15:02 , Nuray BulbulThe Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey.
The Princess of Wales looks happy wearing a glamorous red dress.
Royal Family to arrive soon as finishing touches at Westminster Abbey complete
14:45 , Nuray BulbulGuests including faith leaders are taking their seats ahead of the 76th Commonwealth Day service, which is due to start shortly.
The finishing touches are being made in the Abbey ahead of today's #CommonwealthDay service, which will be attended by Their Majesties The King and Queen, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princes of Wales and other Members of the @RoyalFamily. pic.twitter.com/DNzzKMpJsh
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) March 10, 2025
The public can watch the service live over on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Protesters assemble as King Charles gets ready to attend Commonwealth Day Service
14:36 , Nuray Bulbul.jpg)
Protesters, including anti-monarchy group Republic, have been pictured holding ‘Not My King’ signs alongside a 15ft dinosaur puppet named Chuck the Rex in London.
Chuck, a new Republic protest prop that represents the monarchy, will be used in demonstrations all year long.
Demonstrators are protesting to demand an end to the monarchy and an end to the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall.
It has been said the two estates generated enormous salaries for King Charles and Prince William, while making money off public services and charity.
In response to criticism, the Royal Family has defended these estates as being managed like commercial enterprises, complying with UK laws and regulations.
Who will be attending the service?
14:22 , Nuray BulbulThese Royal Family members are confirmed to attend:
- King Charles
- Queen Camilla
- Prince William
- Princess Kate
- Princess Anne
- The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
As well as these royals, the abbey is set to welcome around 2,000 guests including Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General Elect, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
Prince Edward will not be present at the service because he is celebrating his 61st birthday today. His wife, Duchess Sophie, 60, will also not attend the service as she is said to be in New York.
Schedule for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
14:09 , Nuray BulbulThe day will be marked with a service at Westminster Abbey, the launch of The King’s Baton Relay and the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the presentation of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.
The service will be broadcast to members of the public live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 2.30pm.
The King's message aims to unite in 'uncertain times'
14:02 , Nuray BulbulThe King will highlight the importance of nations together in a “spirit of support, and crucially, friendship” in his yearly address to commemorate the day today.
The King has taken part in the recent diplomatic talks between the US, the UK, and Ukraine. Following the Ukrainian leader's disastrous meeting with US President Donald Trump, the King welcomed President Volodymyr Zelensky with open arms, and Trump is scheduled to make a state visit.
In his written message published earlier today, the King said: "In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth's remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship."
