LONDON (RockedBuzz via Reuters) – King Charles drew on his mother’s inspiration on Monday, celebrating his first Commonwealth Day as the group’s symbolic head with a service at Westminster Abbey in London, alongside other senior members of the British royal family.
Charles has succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth, as head of the 56-country club that evolved from the British Empire following her death last September at the age of 96.
“I draw great strength from his example, along with everything I’ve learned from the amazing people I’ve met, across the Commonwealth, over so many years,” he told the congregation. “The Commonwealth has been a constant in my life, yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me.”
The 74-year-old king was joined for the service by his wife Camilla, the queen consort, and his eldest son Prince William and his wife Kate.
He was met with a traditional Maori welcome outside the Abbey and also a loud protest from a small number of republicans who promised to make their views known to pledges before his coronation in May.
The Commonwealth, one of the world’s largest international organisations, has always been very close to Elizabeth’s heart and some commentators say helping to maintain and enlarge it has been one of the greatest achievements of her 70-year reign.
“Her late majesty loved the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth loved her,” said Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.
“In our sadness at his passing, in our admiration for all that he was, and in our everlasting gratitude for all that he has given us, we can all take heart in the fact that his vision of the Commonwealth, as an equal partnership of nations and races, has come to fruition.”
(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Gareth Jones)
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