The King celebrates Commonwealth Day at the Abbey

Monday, 9th March 2026

The King celebrates Commonwealth Day at the Abbey

Their Majesties The King and Queen attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday 9th March.

They were accompanied by TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales, HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Marked every year since the 1970s, Commonwealth Day recognises the unity and diversity of a remarkable family of nations, with a special service organised in the Abbey with the Royal Commonwealth Society at the heart of the celebrations.

The theme for this year’s service was 'Accelerating Partnership: A Connected Commonwealth.’ 

About the service

The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who said in his bidding:

'We gather, in this house of prayer, to rejoice in our common life. We are God’s people in a Commonwealth of Nations. As different peoples we rejoice in this opportunity to reflect, in mutual respect, on our shared dignity and commitment to the service of others. We celebrate the love and affection that binds us in unity and gives us resilience and strength.'

There were performances by acts from around the Commonwealth including The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Town Hall Gospel Choir; dancers from Sapnay School of Dance and The Royal Ballet School; and singer Indigo Marshall.

The Honourable Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, Minister of Finance for the Independent State of Samoa, gave a reading from Romans 12. Selina Tusitala Marsh, Commonwealth Poet Laureate, read her poem, How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt.

Reflections were given by English singer Gerri Halliwell-Horner; and by South African professional dancer Oti Mabuse.

 

Prayers were introduced by the Reverend Tessa Bosworth, Minor Canon and Succentor; and said by the Reverend Dr Allan Palanna, Commonwealth Theologian; Fr Słavomir Witoń, Dean, Westminster Cathedral; the Reverend Tony Miles, Superintendent Minister, Methodist Central Hall Westminster; and the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon in Residence.

The Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, led the Act of Affirmation to the Commonwealth.

The service was sung by The Choir of Westminster Abbey, conducted by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Matthew Jorysz, Sub-Organist.

Among the 1800-strong congregation were High Commissioners, senior political figures from the UK and the Commonwealth, faith leaders, and some of the home nations athletes. They were joined by school children and young people throughout the UK. 

About Commonwealth Day

The Commonwealth is an association of 56 member states with a combined population of 2.7 billion citizens, almost a third of the world's people. Commonwealth countries span Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse – they are amongst the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries.

Held on the second Monday of March each year, the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey celebrates the people and cultures of all of the Commonwealth nations.

Read more about the Abbey and the Commonwealth

The King's Commonwealth Day message

The King is the Head of the Commonwealth and has been an active supporter of the organisation for more than forty years. In his annual Commonwealth Day message, His Majesty said:

'Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good - grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.' 

Order of service

Commonwealth Day 2026: Order of service (PDF, 608KB)

TAGS
Special Service | Commonwealth Day | Commonwealth Service
< Back to News archive
Back to top