Supported by his family the king leads his first commonwealth day at westminster abbey

W ith seven weeks to go to his coronation, the King led his family at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the first Commonwealth Day of his reign.

And His Majesty showed how he is doing things differently, issuing his message to the 56 member nations not via Buckingham Palace, as has been the tradition, but by speaking to them directly from the great pulpit.

Delivering his Commonwealth Day message as the new head of the organisation – watched by his family, who will sit in the abbey to see him crowned on 6 May – the King urged Commonwealth members to “strive together” to achieve a “global common good”.

And he also paid tribute to his “beloved mother” the Queen, saying he drew “great strength from her example”.

TRADITIONAL WELCOME

Arriving at the abbey on a blustery day in London, the King and the Queen Consort were welcomed by Ngati Ranana London Maori Club, who performed a powhiri – a Maori welcoming ceremony – outside the Great West Door and exchanged the hongi nose-touching greeting with His Majesty before he entered to a trumpet fanfare.

Camilla, elegant in a sapphire-blue wool crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare and a feather beret by Philip Treacy, was by his side and paid a touching tribute to the Queen, wearing her diamond and sapphire brooch for the occasion.

She smiled and held onto her hat as gusts of wind threatened to remove it.

Inside, Their Majesties joined the Prince and Princess of Wales, who had also paused to watch the welcoming ceremony outside.

TREASURED PIECES

Also paying tribute to past royals, Kate teamed her navy and white floral outfit by Erdem and matching wide-brimmed hat with Queen Alexandra’s Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch – a gift from His Majesty – and a pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings that had belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.

With them was the newly created Duke of Edinburgh with his wife the Duchess, stylish in a cream Proenza Schouler coat and matching hat by Jane Taylor.

The Princess Royal, in a dark green patterned coat and green hat, arrived with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

The ceremony began with the national anthem, after which the royal family processed down the aisle behind the clergy and the Commonwealth Mace, followed by the Commonwealth Nations flag of peace and national flags from each member state.

They were welcomed by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev. Dr David Hoyle, who said: “We gather in this hous