King Charles hosts 1st Commonwealth Day reception at palace since Queen's death

13 March 2023 , 20:11

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King Charles Queen Consort Camilla host members of the Commonwealth community during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at Buckingham Palace (Image: Getty Images)

King Charles has hosted his first Commonwealth Day reception at Buckingham Palace since the Queen's death.

In his first Commonwealth Day message as monarch urging people to "listen" and "seek solutions" - amid the drama with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The monarch broke with tradition to give the speech from the Great Pulpit in Westminster Abbey in person - in a marked change from his late mother the Queen.

During the speech he issued a rallying call to the family of nations urging them to "strive together" to achieve a "global common good".

But the monarch also talked about coming together to listen to each other and solving common problems together - and notably the theme for this year was Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future, and comes at a time when Charles has experienced great turbulence in his relationship with his youngest son, Harry.

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King Charles hosts 1st Commonwealth Day reception at palace since Queen's death

King Charles III meets members of the Commonwealth community during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at Buckingham Palace (Getty Images)

He told the congregation: "Whether on climate change and biodiversity loss, youth opportunity and education, global health or economic co-operation, the Commonwealth can play an indispensable role in the most pressing issues of our time.

"Ours is an association not just of shared values, but of common purpose and joint action.

"In this we are blessed with the ingenuity and imagination of a third of the world’s population, including one and a half billion people under the age of 30.

Prince William, Prince of Wales meets members of the Commonwealth community during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at Buckingham Palace (Getty Images)

Meanwhile angry protestors surrounded Westminster Abbey while shouting anti-monarchy slogans as members of the Royal Family ' arrived for Commonwealth Day.

The group could be seen holding up yellow placards saying 'Not My King' in front of the 11th-century church.

Anti-monarchy organisation Republic said yesterday that they were organising a protest at the site in time for the King's arrival.

King Charles III (L), Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort (2L), Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales (2R) and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Commonwealth Day service ceremony (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In a statement they also outlined their ongoing intention to disrupt the coronation celebrations, which they labelled a "pointless parade".

Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said: "We are continuing a series of protests against the monarchy in the lead up to the coronation. Charles's pointless parade will cost £50-100m and yet it is entirely unnecessary."

Demonstrators protest for LGBT rights in Commonwealth countries, outside of the Queen Elizabeth II centre (AFP via Getty Images)

"In light of recent arrests, we're determined to get the message across that it's ok to protest against the royals."

The organised protest saw a number of yellow placards held aloft together to spell 'not my King'. One of the protestors, a white woman, was also seen holding a placard which read 'racist Royal Family'.