12 March 2024 , 23:01
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King Charles made an emotional plea for unity just hours into the Kate editing scandal as he continued to receive treatment for cancer.
The 75-year-old monarch delivered a video message to the people of the Commonwealth in a virtual address to Westminster Abbey on Monday - where he stressed the importance of working together.
He was not at Commonwealth Day Service in person, though Queen Camilla and Prince William did attend.
In his message, the King said: "The Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house, and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires.
"Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time." He went on to say diversity was a core "strength" of the Commonwealth group of nations - and said its 56 member countries were a source of "inspiration and pride" to him.
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Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales represented the royals in person (PA)The King also mentioned his current health battles, and added: "In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth. My belief in our shared endeavours and in the potential of our people remains as sure and strong as it has ever been."
His message of togetherness came after Kate, Princess of Wales found herself in the spotlight following the release of the family's annual Mother's Day photo. After several news agencies pulled the photo over concerns it had been "doctored", she issued a public apology for confusion caused by the image - which she admitted she had "edited". Questions had been asked over a missing part of Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her skirt, with other speculation including the positioning of Kate's zip, and the misshapen patterns on both George’s and Louis’s jumpers.
No other members of the Royal Family have publicly commented on the situation, and Prince William did not address it during a speech for the Earthshot Prize on Monday night. Kate was spotted leaving Windsor in a car on Monday alongside husband Prince William, who attended the Commonwealth Day service a few hours later.