Senior royals stepped as much as signify the Queen as she missed the Commonwealth Day service for the primary time in a decade right this moment.
Her Majesty despatched a written message to the two.5 billion residents within the ‘household of countries’ for the annual celebration on Monday.
She mentioned she hoped the folks of the Commonwealth ‘can draw power and inspiration from what we share’ throughout these ‘testing instances’.
It got here after she requested Prince Charles to signify her on the Westminster Abbey service.
The Prince of Wales was seen arriving with spouse Camilla by his aspect, earlier than the couple greeted Prince William and Kate Middleton with kisses on the cheeks.
Though the Queen has just lately recovered from Covid, the choice to remain house is being interpreted as a mobility subject somewhat than a brand new well being drawback.
The monarch’s announcement got here after the order of service was printed, with the congregation required to face when she arrived and made her approach to her seat.
The 95-year-old is known to be ‘pacing herself’ as she is because of have a good time her 96th birthday in beneath six weeks.
She is claimed to be ‘regretful’ to overlook the service however eager to verify she will attend a service of thanksgiving to honour her beloved husband Prince Philip, who died on March 29 final yr.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour chief Keir Starmer, House Secretary Priti Patel and Overseas Secretary Liz Truss had been current right this moment.
TV character David Walliams was additionally recognizing arriving at Westminster Abbey together with his mom Kathleen this afternoon.
Because the service started, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster, praised the Queen who's celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.
He instructed the congregation: ‘On this jubilee yr, by which we rejoice within the 70 years that Her Majesty the Queen has presided over this Commonwealth, we additionally thank God for her faithfulness and commit ourselves to be taught from an instance of obligation and repair.
‘In phrases and music within the Abbey, we are going to now retrace the steps of her nice Commonwealth tour begun 70 years in the past.’
Hours earlier, the Queen had inspired the ‘household of countries’ to come back collectively for the ‘frequent good’.
Her remarks come throughout a troublesome time for thousands and thousands, with Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion threatening European peace and lots of nations nonetheless battling Covid, amongst different points.
‘On this yr of my Platinum Jubilee, it has given me pleasure to resume the promise I made in 1947, that my life will at all times be devoted in service’, she mentioned.
‘As we speak, it's rewarding to watch a contemporary, vibrant and linked Commonwealth that mixes a wealth of historical past and custom with the good social, cultural and technological advances of our time.
‘That the Commonwealth stands ever taller is a credit score to all who've been concerned.
‘Our household of countries continues to be a degree of connection, co-operation and friendship.
‘It's a place to come back collectively to pursue frequent objectives and the frequent good, offering everybody with the chance to serve and profit.
‘In these testing instances, it's my hope that you would be able to draw power and inspiration from what we share, as we work collectively in the direction of a wholesome, sustainable and affluent future for all.’
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