Senior members of the Royal Family attended the annual Commonwealth Day service on Monday - though the Queen missed the event for the first time in almost a decade.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were among those in attendance at the service at Westminster Abbey.
The monarch, who has recently recovered from a bout of Covid, last week announced she would not attend the service and would be represented by Prince Charles. She last missed the service nine years ago, in 2013, while recovering from a nasty bout of gastroenteritis.
In a statement, the Queen said she hoped the Commonwealth “remains an influential force for good in our world for many generations to come”.
The monarch, 95, has been experiencing mobility issues in recent weeks and regularly uses a stick - thought to be one of the main reasons that she took the decision not to attend.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster, praised the Queen as the service began on Monday afternoon.
He told the congregation: “In this jubilee year, in which we rejoice in the 70 years that Her Majesty the Queen has presided over this Commonwealth, we also thank God for her faithfulness and commit ourselves to learn from an example of duty and service.
“In words and music in the Abbey, we will now retrace the steps of her great Commonwealth tour begun 70 years ago.”
Other guests at the service included prime minister Boris Johnson, home secretary Priti Patel, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and hundreds of dignitaries and young people.
In her written message, the Queen said: “In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, it has given me pleasure to renew the promise I made in 1947, that my life will always be devoted in service.
“Today, it is rewarding to observe a modern, vibrant and connected Commonwealth that combines a wealth of history and tradition with the great social, cultural and technological advances of our time. That the Commonwealth stands ever taller is a credit to all who have been involved.”
The Queen is due to celebrate her 96th birthday in under six weeks and maintaining her comfort is a consideration.
Read More
It is understood she has been pacing herself, although the head of state was keen to do what work she could during her bout of Covid.
