Some of the Commonwealth鈥檚 top entertainers and sporting stars joined Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family at a multi-faith service to celebrate Commonwealth Day.
Some of the Commonwealth鈥檚 top entertainers and sporting stars joined Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family at a multi-faith service to celebrate Commonwealth Day. It was attended by more than 2,000 people in London鈥檚 Westminster Abbey.
This year鈥檚 event was centred around the theme 鈥楧elivering a Common Future鈥, highlighting how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are 鈥榠nnovating, connecting and transforming鈥 to help achieve some of its biggest goals - such as protecting natural resources and boosting trade.
The service was attended by the head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, as well as its Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland.
The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Earl and Countess of Wessex also attended the service which was broadcast live on BBC radio and television.
World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, born in Britain and a child of Nigerian parents, spoke at the service, telling the audience that he was 鈥減roud to be a child of the Commonwealth鈥.
He asked people to remember how 鈥渙ur Commonwealth cousins stood shoulder to shoulder in combat鈥 and spoke of the values of 鈥渇airness, responsibility, tolerance and diversity鈥 which bind us.
The service also included performances by West-End star, Alexandra Burke; and multi-platinum, multi-award winning singer-songwriter, Craig David.
Commonwealth Day has been celebrated across the Commonwealth every year since the 1970s. In recent years, there has been a shift away from celebrating a single day towards celebrating a full week, with Commonwealth Day at its focus and first day.
The aim is to celebrate the unity, diversity and links of the modern Commonwealth and to foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth鈥檚 achievements and role.
On Wednesday March 11, the annual Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work will be awarded to young people from each of the Commonwealth鈥檚 regions.
Photo 漏 Westminster Abbey
