AS KING DELIVERS VIRTUAL MESSAGE FOR SERVICE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY
After Camilla greeted William with kisses on both cheeks, they processed down the aisle with other royals
Sharing warm smiles and a friendly embrace, the Prince of Wales and the Queen showed their united strength as they led the royal family at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
This important ceremony takes place every year, and in 2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
Although Her Majesty and Prince William arrived without their spouses – the King is being treated for cancer and the Princess of Wales is recovering from abdominal surgery – His Majesty delivered a virtual message as head of the multinational body.
Arriving at the abbey, Camilla brightened up the grey day in a turquoise Bruce Oldfield coat and Philip Treacy hat, teamed with an aquamarine and diamond brooch that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. After greeting William with kisses on both cheeks, they processed down the aisle with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
It was the first time that Princess Anne, elegant in a patterned maroon coat, was accompanied in public by her newly appointed lady-in-waiting: her daughter Zara Tindall’s best friend and confidante Dolly Maude. Meanwhile, Sophie looked chic in a stone-coloured coat dress from Suzannah London and a broad-brimmed hat.
SMILES ALL ROUND
Sitting together at the front of the abbey, the Queen, William, Anne, Edward and Sophie smiled as they watched performers from across the Commonwealth, including Ghetto Kids, a dance troupe from Uganda.
