Prince Charles, Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have attended the the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey - however the Queen has been forced to miss the "special day".
The Prince of Wales was representing his mother at the celebration after it was announced last week she was to miss it for the first time in almost 10 years.
As they arrived, the royals greeted each other with hugs and kisses. Kate looked resplendent in royal blue and was seen chatting with her father-in-law.
The Commonwealth, affectionately known as the “family of nations”, has played an important role throughout the Queen's reign, and she takes a special interest in the institution.
Highlights of the service at Westminster Abbey, also attended Princess Alexandra, included an address by former archbishop Lord Sentamu, a reflection by young Tongan leader Elizabeth Kite and special musical performances from Emeli Sande and Mica Paris.
The service would have been the Queen’s first major public appearance since reaching her Platinum Jubilee milestone in February.
But on Friday a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “After discussing the arrangements with the royal household, the Queen has asked the Prince of Wales to represent Her Majesty at the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
“The Queen will continue with other planned engagements, including in-person audiences, in the week ahead.”
Love the royals? Sign up for the Mirror's daily newsletter to get all the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm. Click here to sign up.
She last missed the service nine years ago, in 2013, while recovering from a nasty bout of gastroenteritis.
Before that, the Queen had not been absent from a Commonwealth Day observance service for 20 years, the last time being when she had flu in 1993.
However, earlier this afternoon, she did issue her annual Commonwealth Day message, where she renewed her vow of dedicating her life to service.
Her decision not to attend the service was taken with her most trusted advisors and is understood to be related to her comfort travelling the 26-mile journey from Windsor Castle to London and sitting through the event, rather than a specific illness.
A royal source said: “The Queen is very aware that with the passage of time must come an awareness of one’s own frailties and we are very much in that moment.
“The Queen is still utterly determined to serve to the maximum extent that she can and the renewal of her vow, dedicating her life service, is one that Her Majesty takes incredibly seriously.”
Commonwealth Day has not been celebrated in person since 2020 when the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their last public appearance with senior members of the royal family before moving to North America.
