King Charles joined his family as he entertained Commonwealth leaders tonight as he held his first Commonwealth Day reception at Buckingham Palace.
He was joined by the Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, at the event at the Palace, a change from their usual venue of Marlborough House.
The family entered the White Room from their private apartments, where the King was received by the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Scotland, and the Prime Minister of Samoa, Her Excellency Fiame Naomi Mata Afa. His country will host next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
After cordial greetings, followed by the Prince of Wales, who chatted animatedly with the Duchess of Edinburgh as they waited, Her Majesty entered the Music Room to sign the Commonwealth Charter, a unique document outlining the 16 core values of the Commonwealth. “family of nations”. ‘, which its leaders have pledged to uphold.
It was signed by Queen Elizabeth II on Commonwealth Day a decade ago, in 2013.
King Charles joined his family as he entertained Commonwealth leaders tonight as he held his first Commonwealth Day reception (pictured) at Buckingham Palace.
He was joined by the Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, at the event at the Palace, a change from their usual venue of Marlborough House.
In front of him was the 18-carat Commonwealth mace studded with rubies and displaying each member’s flag which was created for Queen Elizabeth as her “legacy of peace”.
High Commissioners, Foreign Ministers and other representatives gathered in the Picture Gallery, drinking champagne and eating canapés as the Royal Family moved through the crowd.
The King stopped to speak to a group of Samoan artists while Prince William had a long talk with Baroness Benjamin.
She said afterwards: ‘The Commonwealth will always be here. Because of the millions of people around the world who are connected to the Commonwealth, it will never die.
‘I was thrilled to see hundreds of children there at the Abbey today because they are growing up knowing what the Commonwealth means.
“It was great to hear the King speak because it was very important for the children to hear the voice of the monarch so that his message today would be for them.
‘Understanding about togetherness, about diversity…he keeps using that word many times…connecting, understanding each other. That’s what the Commonwealth does.
‘It brings people together, gives you a better understanding of who you are and respects your differences. You accept your differences, which is brilliant.
The Prince of Wales speaks to guests during the annual Commonwealth Day reception
The Duchess of Edinburgh chats with members of the Commonwealth community during tonight’s event.
A beaming King Charles, dressed in an elegant navy blue suit, meets with members of the Commonwealth community as he hosts tonight’s reception.
High Commissioners, Foreign Ministers and other representatives gathered in the Picture Gallery, drinking champagne and eating canapés as the Royal Family moved through the crowd. In the photo, Carlos
King Charles III meets members of the Commonwealth community during the annual Commonwealth Day reception
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, looks dapper in a suit as he chats with guests at the reception.
Radiant! Prince William couldn’t help but smile as he chatted with people on tonight’s outing.
King Charles hosts Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, High Commissioners, Foreign Ministers and other members of the Commonwealth community during the annual Commonwealth Day reception at Buckingham Palace.
Looking good: Princess Anne looked chic in a brown ensemble with a pearl necklace
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla host Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, High Commissioners, Foreign Ministers and other members of the Commonwealth community during the annual Commonwealth Day reception .
‘When I received my Order of Merit I sat next to the King and we both agreed that childhood lasts a lifetime and the more you nurture the young, the more you engage with the young, the longer the feeling of togetherness lasts. You can’t wait to be older.
She said of her conversation with Prince William that they were mostly talking about diversity and soccer.
“He came to help unveil Windrush Memorial last year and spoke passionately about diversity, differences, what we need to focus on to bring the whole community and society together.
‘He spoke so eloquently, so I wanted to thank him for that. She told me ‘whatever you need, call me, my door is open,’ which is wonderful,’ she said.
And we are both soccer fans. I support two teams, Aston Villa -like him- and Arsenal. Aston Villa is for Dwight Yorke, he used to play for Aston Villa and he is the first professional footballer from Trinidad here. So William approved of that.
Charles (pictured right with Camilla) signed the Commonwealth Charter, a unique document outlining the 16 core values of the “family of nations” which its leaders have pledged to uphold.
Guests react as they listen to the Duke of Edinburgh speak during today’s reception at Buckingham Palace
Looking effortlessly chic, Sophie donned a navy blue dress for tonight’s outing.
Both Prince Edward (pictured left) and Princess Anne (pictured right) were photographed chatting with guests at the Buckingham Palace reception tonight.
