The Duchess in Beulah London for Commonwealth Day Service
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the Queen and a large gathering of royals for the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
Other members of the family in attendance included Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.
William and Kate arrived with Harry and Meghan.
An arrival video.
The Commonwealth Day Act of Observance is the UK�s largest multi-faith service and the premier event to celebrate the Commonwealth. This unique event is traditionally attended by Her Majesty The Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth, and other members of the Royal family.
It takes place in the presence of some 2,000 participants including High Commissioners and dignitaries from around the Commonwealth, in addition to 1,000 young people from schools across the UK. The Commonwealth represents a global network of 2.4 billion people, of whom 60 per cent are under 30 years old. As head of the Commonwealth, the Queen has reinforced links and seen the association of nations grow from seven to fifty-three members during her reign.
There's an additional significance to this year's Commonwealth Day; it precedes the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (April 16-20), when the leaders of 53 independent member countries will meet in London and Windsor to address key global challenges and agree how to work together for the welfare and common good of its 2.4 billion citizens. It is slated to be the biggest summit ever held in Britain. Politically, the event has added significance because of Brexit and the government are eager to deploy the Royal family throughout the week.
The foursome inside the Abbey.
The Queen and The Prince of Wales at the start of the service.
The Royals take their seats.
Ahead of the service, the Queen shared the following message:
Each year a specific theme is chosen to help guide plans and activities for Commonwealth organisations. The theme for 2018 is 'Towards a Common Future' emphasises how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through sub-themes of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness. The theme links to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will be held in London in April, with leaders from 53 countries expected to attend.
These beautiful floral arrangements around the Abbey were made specially for today's service. They feature flowers from countries all over the Commonwealth.
Guests included the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister of Malta, the Hon Dr Joseph Muscat MP, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, alongside High Commissioners, Ambassadors and dignitaries, senior politicians from across the UK and Commonwealth.
The British National Anthem is sung by the congregation in the presence of The Queen.
As we give thanks for our rich diversity and for our common humanity, let us pray together for peace and unity' � Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, gave the bidding.
Guests enjoyed a special musical performance by One Direction singer Liam Payne.
One of the most powerful moments of the service came when Dr Andrew Bastawrous, an eye surgeon who turned a smartphone into an examination tool which works to combat avoidable blindness in developing counties.
Prime Minister Theresa May read Romans 12: 3-13.
You can view the full Order of Service here.
The flags of the Commonwealth nations are processed out of the Abbey.
The Duchess met performers.
Following the service, the royals met a group of children.
Kate was given a beautiful posy by a little princess wearing her tiara :)
Her Majesty leaving with the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne.
William, Kate, Harry and Meghan walked through Dean's Yard to attend a reception.
The Duchess met school children.
They travelled from Belfast, Fyfe, Aberystwyth, Stoke-on-Trent, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-tweed and York to attend.
A very nice shot of a smiling Prince William.
To view the full service click here. You can view a video from the reception below.
The Duchess brought back the elegant Beulah London Chiara coat she first wore for a service of commemoration to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral, when she was expecting Princess Charlotte.
The Chiara trapeze coat was described as "This piece is cut in a fit-and-flare silhouette and is makes layering easy and comfortable. Concealed buttons to keep the design clean and elegant." The piece is available for pre-order on the Beulah London website.
Kate teamed the coat with her Lock & Co Tiffany hat.
More form the product description:
Kate wore her Rupert Sanderson Malory heels.
And carried the Jimmy Choo Celeste clutch in navy.
The style is fast becoming a staple in Kate's collection. In Oslo Kate carried the Celeste in soft pink and burgundy.
The Duchess debuted a very pretty new floral bouquet brooch and wore matching earrings.
Kate also wore the earrings at the Royal Foundation Forum. I asked jewellery experts Ella Kay and Order of Splendor about the set and neither recognise them as part of the Queen's collection. Hopefully more information will come to light on their provenance.
For those interested, Meghan wore the Amanda Wakeley Crombie coat and Springsteen dress today, you can read more at Mad About Meghan.
In light of the comments since the Royal Foundation Forum, it feels important to share the note I wrote when Harry and Meghan got engaged again. I had hoped the issue of comparing both women and using one to bash the other would subside. Sadly, that's evidently not been the case. I appreciate the time and effort which goes into writing comments, and I hate to delete them, however if this issue isn't dealt with it can only serve to derail enjoyable conversation time and time again. We're getting to a stage where events attended by both Kate and Meghan are a free for all. It has to stop. It is my sincere hope today's service will mark the beginning of a change in comments. Thank you for your understanding and support.
We'll see William and Kate on Saturday for the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Cavalry Barracks.
Other members of the family in attendance included Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.
William and Kate arrived with Harry and Meghan.
An arrival video.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle arrive at @Wabbey for The Commonwealth Service. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/sIkCMFxCq5� The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018
It takes place in the presence of some 2,000 participants including High Commissioners and dignitaries from around the Commonwealth, in addition to 1,000 young people from schools across the UK. The Commonwealth represents a global network of 2.4 billion people, of whom 60 per cent are under 30 years old. As head of the Commonwealth, the Queen has reinforced links and seen the association of nations grow from seven to fifty-three members during her reign.
There's an additional significance to this year's Commonwealth Day; it precedes the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (April 16-20), when the leaders of 53 independent member countries will meet in London and Windsor to address key global challenges and agree how to work together for the welfare and common good of its 2.4 billion citizens. It is slated to be the biggest summit ever held in Britain. Politically, the event has added significance because of Brexit and the government are eager to deploy the Royal family throughout the week.
The foursome inside the Abbey.
The Queen and The Prince of Wales at the start of the service.
The Royals take their seats.
Ahead of the service, the Queen shared the following message:
"We all have reason to give thanks for the numerous ways in which our lives are enriched when we learn from others. Through exchanging ideas, and seeing life from other perspectives, we grow in understanding and work more collaboratively towards a common future.
There is a very special value in the insights we gain through the Commonwealth connection; shared inheritances help us overcome difference so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division. We shall see this in action at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which takes place in the United Kingdom next month, bringing together young people, business and civil society from across the Commonwealth.
These gatherings are themselves fine examples of how consensus and commitment can help to create a future that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous and sustainable. Having enjoyed the warm hospitality of so many Commonwealth countries over the years, I look forward to the pleasure of welcoming the leaders of our family of 53 nations to my homes in London and Windsor.
Sport also contributes to building peace and development. The excitement and positive potential of friendly rivalry will be on display next month as we enjoy the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia. Contributing to the success of the Games, alongside athletes and officials, will be thousands of volunteers.
Voluntary effort, by people working as individuals, in groups or through larger
associations, is so often what shapes the Commonwealth and all our communities. By pledging to serve the common good in new ways, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to grow in scope and stature, to have an even greater impact on people's lives, today, and for future generations.�
Each year a specific theme is chosen to help guide plans and activities for Commonwealth organisations. The theme for 2018 is 'Towards a Common Future' emphasises how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through sub-themes of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness. The theme links to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will be held in London in April, with leaders from 53 countries expected to attend.
These beautiful floral arrangements around the Abbey were made specially for today's service. They feature flowers from countries all over the Commonwealth.
Guests included the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister of Malta, the Hon Dr Joseph Muscat MP, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, alongside High Commissioners, Ambassadors and dignitaries, senior politicians from across the UK and Commonwealth.
The British National Anthem is sung by the congregation in the presence of The Queen.
The British National Anthem is sung by the congregation in the presence of The Queen. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/qc2cf3osF8� The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018
'As we give thanks for our rich diversity and for our common humanity, let us pray together for peace and unity' � Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, gives the bidding during The Commonwealth Service at @Wabbey. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/5dXcc9IQI2� The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018
.@LiamPayne sings John Mayer's 'Waiting on the World to Change' during the #CommonwealthDay service. pic.twitter.com/XEDziNjx9F� The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018
Eye surgeon and Co-Founder of @peekteam, Dr Andrew Bastawrous provides a reflection on his work to bring better vision to people around the world through the latest technology and health intelligence. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/rntnmjpj8y� The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018
You can view the full Order of Service here.
During the Commonwealth Service, The @PortGospelChoir sing Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/uhOr8Fc1cW� The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018
The Duchess met performers.
Following the service, the royals met a group of children.
Kate was given a beautiful posy by a little princess wearing her tiara :)
Her Majesty leaving with the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne.
William, Kate, Harry and Meghan walked through Dean's Yard to attend a reception.
The Duchess met school children.
They travelled from Belfast, Fyfe, Aberystwyth, Stoke-on-Trent, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-tweed and York to attend.
A very nice shot of a smiling Prince William.
To view the full service click here. You can view a video from the reception below.
The Duchess brought back the elegant Beulah London Chiara coat she first wore for a service of commemoration to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral, when she was expecting Princess Charlotte.
The Chiara trapeze coat was described as "This piece is cut in a fit-and-flare silhouette and is makes layering easy and comfortable. Concealed buttons to keep the design clean and elegant." The piece is available for pre-order on the Beulah London website.
 |
| Beulah London |
Kate teamed the coat with her Lock & Co Tiffany hat.
More form the product description:
'Crafted from 100% rabbit fur felt, this 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' hat is a style saviour. The stunning, lipped drop-brim and wide Petersham band make this hat a real classic which is perfect for dressier social engagements.'
Kate wore her Rupert Sanderson Malory heels.
 |
| Rupert Sanderson |
And carried the Jimmy Choo Celeste clutch in navy.
 |
| Jimmy Choo |
The style is fast becoming a staple in Kate's collection. In Oslo Kate carried the Celeste in soft pink and burgundy.
The Duchess debuted a very pretty new floral bouquet brooch and wore matching earrings.
Kate also wore the earrings at the Royal Foundation Forum. I asked jewellery experts Ella Kay and Order of Splendor about the set and neither recognise them as part of the Queen's collection. Hopefully more information will come to light on their provenance.
In light of the comments since the Royal Foundation Forum, it feels important to share the note I wrote when Harry and Meghan got engaged again. I had hoped the issue of comparing both women and using one to bash the other would subside. Sadly, that's evidently not been the case. I appreciate the time and effort which goes into writing comments, and I hate to delete them, however if this issue isn't dealt with it can only serve to derail enjoyable conversation time and time again. We're getting to a stage where events attended by both Kate and Meghan are a free for all. It has to stop. It is my sincere hope today's service will mark the beginning of a change in comments. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Kate is Kate. Meghan is Meghan. Both are entirely different women, with different strengths and weaknesses, in entirely different roles. In a society that pits women against each other, as a community we must strive to avoid the Kate v Meghan narrative. On 'both sides' of the fence, particularly cruel remarks have been left. The primary reason I started the separate blog was to avoid the negativity created by endless comparisons. This blog is not a venue for tearing Meghan Markle apart nor is the other blog a place to relentlessly bash the Duchess of Cambridge. I think people forget William, Kate, Harry and Meghan are all on the same team - the future of the monarchy - this sort of imagined rivalry is the very last thing they want. Moving forward, I hope we can enjoy following both women without a repeat of the unkind remarks left yesterday. Thank you very much for reading and for your understanding.
We'll see William and Kate on Saturday for the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Cavalry Barracks.
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