Photo: Commonwealth Secretariat via Flickr
Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations (AKA the British Commonwealth). It is celebrated on the second Monday in March each year.
Commonwealth Day
Royal Attendance
Annual Address
Annual Service
The first Commonwealth Day service was held in 1966. Since 1972, the service has been held at Westminster Abbey in London. The service is attended by the Monarch and a number of working royals. For many years, the Monarch gives an address as part of the service. The address has been given in many forms over the years: In person speech, pre-recorded audio and printed in the program.
The service usually begins at 2:45 PM. In recent years there has not been a livestream of the service.
Reception
Photo: Commonwealth Secretariat via Flickr
A reception is held in the evening to celebrate Commonwealth Day.
During Queen Elizabeth’s reign the reception was held by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at Marlborough House. And was usually attended by a royal/couple.
During King Charles’s reign the host of the reception has alternated between the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Monarch.
Royals Attending Service & Reception:
King Charles III’s Reign
Boxes in purple represent the Royals in the Procession that year.
| Royal | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles | ||||
| Camilla | ||||
| William | ||||
| Kate* | ||||
| Edward | ||||
| Sophie | ||||
| Anne | ||||
| Tim | ||||
| Duke of Gloucester | ||||
| Duchess of Gloucester | ||||
| Duke of Kent | ||||
| Other | ||||
| Reception | ||||
| Host | ||||
| Location | ||||
| Attending Reception | ||||
| Royal | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles | X | X | ||
| Camilla | X | |||
| William | X | |||
| Kate* | X | X | ||
| Edward | X | |||
| Sophie | X | |||
| Anne | X | |||
| Tim | X | X | ||
| Duke of Gloucester | X | |||
| Duchess of Gloucester | X | |||
| Duke of Kent | X | |||
| Other | Prince Albert of Monaco | |||
| Reception | ||||
| Host | Charles & Camilla | Secretary-General | Secretary-General | Charles, Camilla |
| Location | Buckingham Palace | Marlborough House | Marlborough House | St. James Palace |
| Attending Reception | All from Service, except for Kate* |
Camilla | Charles & Camilla | Charles, Camilla, Duke & Duchess of Gloucester, Prince Albert of Monaco |
Notes:
- 2023: Princess Kate* was initially announced as attending the reception, but did not. The Palace then stated she was never scheduled to attend.
- 2024: King Charles was undergoing Cancer Treatment. Princess Kate* was on Sick Leave following recovering from Abdominal Surgery.
- 2026: Prince Albert of Monaco was invited to the Commonwealth Service by the Commonwealth Secretary-General due to Monaco’s work with the Commonwealth org.
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