01 March 2024 , 14:29
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The King will release a video message to celebrate Commonwealth Day where he will hail the spirit of togetherness throughout the 56 member states.
Charles is set to miss the service at Westminster Abbey on March 11 as he continues his treatment for a form of cancer. Instead, as part of his wish to “remain to be seen” the monarch has recorded a special message at Windsor Castle which will be broadcast round the world to mark the event. The theme for this year’s annual meeting is “One Resilient Common Future”.
Royal insiders told the Mirror the King was keen to express his thanks to people around the Commonwealth who have sent him thousands of get well soon messages after he was last month diagnosed with a form of cancer.
Other members of the royal family, including Queen Camilla who will be the most senior royal in attendance, and Prince William are also expected to attend the colourful service.
At the Westminster Abbey service last year, Charles in a speech said: “The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me. Its near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold.”
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Commonwealth Day - celebrated by people across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe - will start with a series of events and activities during March, including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, announced last month how the member states, which boast a population of around 2.67 billion - are bound together with a set of shared values.
She said: "We have countries which are amongst both the smallest and largest in the world. What binds us together is our shared values, and those include a commitment to ensuring stronger and stable governance, a more sustainable environment, robust economies, and societies that empower Commonwealth citizens."
This year’s theme also reflects the focus of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in Samoa, in October 2024.
One of these initiatives is the declaration of the Commonwealth Year of Youth, which has put a focus on increasing projects to support the 1.5 billion young people of the Commonwealth.
Plans are still being made for the King to attend CHOGM, as part of a tour with the Queen of Australia and New Zealand. It will be Charles’ first time travelling to the southern hemisphere nations since ascending the throne in September 2022 after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Charles completed his fourth weekly cancer treatment earlier this week and is understood to be continuing his rest and recovery at one of his country estates. The King has received more than 7,000 cards from royal fans urging him to “never give up”, following his diagnosis.
Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have sent Charles personal messages of hope after it was revealed he is battling the disease.
Buckingham Palace did not comment.