The Princess of Wales was among a host of royals at Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service – and her private whisper at the beginning of the ceremony was caught on camera
The Princess of Wales was caught on camera sharing a secret whisper at the biggest gathering of royals so far this year. Kate joined husband Prince William, as well as the King and Queen, at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the Commonwealth’s 56 nations.
As they arrived, the royal family gathered at the Abbey’s Great West Door and were greeted in turn by Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, before the arrival of the King and Queen. After they processed down the aisle to take their seats at the front of the service. Just before the service began, Kate, dressed in a navy Catherine Walker coat dress, could be seen flicking through the order of service, before she caught the eye of royal photographers inside the building.
And in a blink-and-you ‘ll-miss-it moment, the princess flashed a smile at the snappers and was caught mouthing ‘hello’ at them. For decades, the service at the Abbey has been a set-piece event in the royal family’s calendar – but for the first time in 37 years yesterday, the BBC did not broadcast the event live.
The Commonwealth Service, which has been held since 1972, celebrates the diverse people and cultures of the Commonwealth nations. The annual church service is the highlight of a week-long series of events and activities happening around the Commonwealth, including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events.
The Commonwealth is an association of 54 member states with a combined population of 2.4 billion citizens, almost a third of the world’s people.
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This year’s theme, “Unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth”, highlights how the member countries of the Commonwealth can rally together to face today’s challenges and unlock opportunities that can deliver shared and lasting prosperity.
As head of the Commonwealth, Charles, in his message, also said the institution has “untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners”.
He added: “In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, this voluntary union of free association remains rare and precious – a forum for open and honest discussion and debate to help improve the lives of the nearly three billion people who call our member states home.”
Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society, which stages the event, gave an address and later gave the King two kisses as she greeted him after the service.
A large anti-monarchy protest took place opposite the abbey, with demonstrators holding “Not My King” and “Abolish The Monarchy” banners.
It comes amid calls to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, a suggestion that has received backing from leaders of several Commonwealth nations, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, all of which would need to agree if an Act of Parliament were to go ahead.
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