Kate Middleton joins Prince William at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
Regal in royal blue! Kate Middleton dons a new bespoke Catherine Walker coat dress as she joins Prince William at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, looked regal at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster AbbeyShe joined Prince William, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and Prime Minister Boris JohsnonThe Queen missed the engagement but shared an annual message to the people of the Commonwealth
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The Duchess of Cambridge looked regal in royal blue as she joined Prince William at the Commonwealth Day service today.
Kate, 40, donned a stunning bespoke Catherine Walker coat dress and matching hat as she arrived alongside her husband for the service at Westminster Abbey, in London.
The couple joined Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as hundreds of dignitaries, young people, and celebrities including David Walliams.
Kate, 40, donned a stunning coat dress and matching hat as she arrived alongside her husband for the service at Westminster Abbey, in London
The Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant as she arrived with Prince William for the annual service in London today
Kate looked chic in the royal blue ensemble, which she wore with Princess Diana’s sapphire jewellery set
The Duchess’ brunette curls tumbled down her back beneath her hat, which was positioned elegantly on top of her head
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge greeted Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall with a kiss on the cheek
The Duchess of Cambridge put her best foot forward in a pair of navy suede shoes as she joined royals at the event
Prince William shook hands with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his arrival at Westminster Abbey on Monday afternoon
The Queen, who has recently recovered from coronavirus and has been experiencing mobility issues, had hoped to attend the important event in the royal calendar.
But last Friday, palace officials revealed that the monarch had asked her son Charles to represent her at the service after discussing arrangements with members of the Royal Household.
Today she said she hoped the Commonwealth ‘remains an influential force for good in our world for many generations to come’ and renewed her promise made in 1947 to ‘always be devoted in service’ in a written Commonwealth Day Message.
The head of state’s comments were made in her annual message to the ‘family of nations’ released on Commonwealth Day, as many countries continued to battle Covid-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatened world peace and economic stability.
Now in the 70th year of her reign, the 95-year-old monarch said it had made her happy, during her Platinum Jubilee year, to reaffirm the pledge she made in 1947 as a 21-year-old to devote her life in service to the nation and Commonwealth.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant as they arrived at the service ahead of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall
Showcasing her flair for monochrome dressing, Kate wore the blue coat with blue gloves, shoes, hat and jewellery
The Duchess of Cambridge’s bespoke coat looked elegant as she arrived for the Commonwealth Day service in London
The Duchess of Cornwall opted for a bold purple coat and matching hat with flower applique as she joined Charles
The Queen sounded a positive note, extolling the virtues of the Commonwealth which ‘continues to be a point of connection, co-operation and friendship’.
Her message to the family of nation’s 2.5 billion citizens was released just ahead of a Westminster Abbey service marking Commonwealth Day, with guests to include the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and hundreds of dignitaries and young people.
Missing was the Queen who recently recovered from a bout of Covid and asked Charles to represent her after she decided not to attend following discussions with her household about arrangements for the event.
With the monarch now regularly using a stick and recently telling two senior military officers during a Windsor Castle reception ‘well, as you can see, I can’t move’ when asked how she was, the decision is being interpreted as a mobility issue rather than a new health problem.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chatted with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall ahead of the service
The royals led the members of the congregation at the annual Commonwealth Day service in London today
Kate Middleton and Prince William greeted Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on their arrival at the Abbey
The Queen is due to celebrate her 96th birthday in under six weeks and maintaining her comfort is a consideration and it is understood she has been pacing herself, although the head of state was keen to do what work she could during her bout of Covid.
In her written message, the Queen said: ‘In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, it has given me pleasure to renew the promise I made in 1947, that my life will always be devoted in service.
‘Today, it is rewarding to observe a modern, vibrant and connected Commonwealth that combines a wealth of history and tradition with the great social, cultural and technological advances of our time. That the Commonwealth stands ever taller is a credit to all who have been involved.’
The Queen’s cousin Princess Alexandra was the first member of the Royal Family to arrive at the service today
The head of state went on to say: ‘Our family of nations continues to be a point of connection, co-operation and friendship.
‘It is a place to come together to pursue common goals and the common good, providing everyone with the opportunity to serve and benefit.
‘In these testing times, it is my hope that you can draw strength and inspiration from what we share, as we work together towards a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for all.’
