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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

King Charles urges people to 'listen' to 'seek solutions' amid Harry and Meghan drama

King Charles has delivered his first Commonwealth Day message as monarch urging people to "listen" and "seek solutions" - amid the drama with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The monarch broke with tradition to give the speech from the Great Pulpit in Westminster Abbey in person - in a marked change from his late mother the Queen.

During the speech he issued a rallying call to the family of nations urging them to "strive together" to achieve a "global common good".

But the monarch also talked about coming together to listen to each other and solving common problems together - and notably the theme for this year was Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future, and comes at a time when Charles has experienced great turbulence in his relationship with his youngest son, Harry.

King Charles delivers his Commonwealth Day message (PA)
Charles' younger son Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle (Matt Dunham/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

He told the congregation: "Whether on climate change and biodiversity loss, youth opportunity and education, global health or economic co-operation, the Commonwealth can play an indispensable role in the most pressing issues of our time.

"Ours is an association not just of shared values, but of common purpose and joint action.

"In this we are blessed with the ingenuity and imagination of a third of the world’s population, including one and a half billion people under the age of 30.

The royals inside the Abbey watch the service today (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The royals before the procession through the Abbey (PA)

"Our shared humanity contains an immensely precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition and experience. By listening to each other, we will find so many of the solutions that we seek."

Meanwhile, he also paid tribute to his "beloved mother", describing how Commonwealth Day was a moment of pride for the late Queen Elizabeth who "dedicated her long and remarkable life" in service to the "Commonwealth family".

Nearly all the key members of the Firm gathered for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, where Charles will be crowned in less than two months time.

Charles and Camilla battled the wind as they arrive at the Abbey (GC Images)

Among those attending the Commonwealth Day service were the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh Edward and Sophie as well as Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Missing out were Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, whose names weren't listed in the official programme - and will be at school today.

Kate opted for a Erdem navy suit and a broach with the Prince of Wales feathers - and even had to hold on to her hat as the windy weather almost saw her hat blow off as she went into the Abbey.

William and Kate join in with one of the hymns (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Camilla donned a blue Fiona Clare outfit and was also affected by the elements as the wind almost got the better of her Philip Treacy hat, forcing her to take shelter in the Abbey - leaving the King alone to greet dancers performing outside the venue.

She was also wearing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s sapphire and diamond brooch.. The sparkling diamond and sapphire piece set in platinum was worn by Princess Elizabeth for the official photos taken on her honeymoon with the late Duke of Edinburgh at Broadlands in Hampshire in 1947.

One safely inside, the royals shook hands with assembled guests before chatting with each other and taking part in a procession down the nave of the Abbey. Sophie looked elegant in cream while Anne went for a green ensemble.

The annual service was the scene of Harry and wife Meghan Markle's final official public engagement as senior working royals in 2020.

The couple, who stepped down for a new life in the US, have yet to confirm whether they will attend the King’s Coronation but have received email correspondence about it from Charles’ office.

Harry’s controversial autobiography Spare, published at the start of the year, included claims that William physically attacked him and that Charles did not hug him when he told him of Diana, Princess of Wales’s death.

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