THE COMMONWEALTH SERVICE 2022

On Monday, 14 March 2022 The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Princess Alexandra attended the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.

 

Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the annual Commonwealth Service provides an opportunity to focus attention on this voluntary association of 54 countries and their commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality for its 2.5 billion citizens.

 

This Commonwealth Day was a particularly special one, occurring in the Platinum Jubilee year of Her Majesty The Queen, the Society’s Patron, and marked her 70 years of dedication and service to the Commonwealth family. 

 

Highlights of the Service included an Address by The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Lord Bishop Sentamu PC, former Archbishop of York, a reflection by Queen’s Young Leader and Royal Commonwealth Society Associate Fellow, Elizabeth Kite, from Tonga, and the world premiere of ‘Beacon of Brightest Light’, created by acclaimed composer Debbie Wiseman OBE.    

 

The event also featured performances by Mica Paris, Members of the Whānau London Voices, Emeli Sandé and the London African Gospel Choir and a collaboration between celebrated poet Imtiaz Dharker and sitarist Jasdeep Singh Degun.

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Among those attending were the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who gave a reading; and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, who led the Act of Affirmation to the Commonwealth. They were joined by High Commissioners and Ambassadors; senior politicians from across the UK and the Commonwealth; faith leaders; and more than 600 school children and young people.

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Watch the Commonwealth Service on BBC iPlayer and view the service programme.

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Read Her Majesty The Queen’s Commonwealth Day Message.

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