Beaming King Charles meets dignitaries from around the Commonwealth after largest gathering of senior Royals since Andrew’s arrest
King Charles looked thrilled to receive a signed bat from cricket legend Sir Viv Richards as he celebrated the Commonwealth community on Monday night.
Her Majesty, along with her husband Queen Camilla, hosted the annual Commonwealth Day reception at St James’s Palace with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Ahead of the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in November, West Indies hero Sir Viv – arguably one of the greatest batsmen of all time – gave him a gift.
The king asked, “Is this something special?” he asked. ‘Fantastic. Did you use this?’
“No, this is for show,” the star replied.
‘Master blaster,’ said Camilla, looking at the other side of the stick. ‘Are you a master blaster?’
The athlete smiled: ‘That’s what they used to call me.
When the two men met for the first time, Sir Viv told the King that she had fond memories of meeting ‘your late mother’ when she hosted the entire World Cup team in 1975, causing the King to recall those memories as well.
King Charles and Queen Camilla receive a cricket bat from West Indies great Sir Viv Richards during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at St James’s Palace in London
The King speaks to guests during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception on Monday
Her Majesty hosted the annual Commonwealth Day reception with her husband at St James’s Palace.
King greets Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper during special event
At the packed reception, both royals were accompanied by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, who introduced them to leaders from the family of nations.
Earlier, the King and Queen attended the annual Commonwealth Day Celebrations Ceremony at Westminster Abbey with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
At the packed reception, the royals, accompanied by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, were introduced to leaders from the family of nations as well as foreign ministers and parliamentarians, including Priti Patel. Other notable guests included singer Joan Armatrading.
The King, as head of the Commonwealth, was inundated with well-wishers wanting to shake his hand and appeared to be in good spirits, testing his knowledge of several languages, including ‘pigeon English’.
Earlier today, the King, Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales led the largest gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to mark Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey.
Kate wore a navy blue Catherine Walker dress jacket and a dress from her husband’s late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. She dazzled with a five-row pearl necklace that belonged to Elizabeth.
Their Royal Highnesses Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester ignored the small but vocal group of anti-monarchist protesters who came to the Abbey in support of the Commonwealth.
It comes amid reports that Charles will later discuss the thorny issue of his brother Andrew and his place in the line of succession with Commonwealth leaders.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met dignitaries from around the world in central London this afternoon to distract from the Iran crisis. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvette Cooper also attended the meeting.
Prince Albert of Monaco, Geri Halliwell-Horner and her husband Christian, joined a host of stars and politicians at the Abbey.
Charles and the Queen meet the Dean of Westminster, Dr., at the Abbey gate. They were the last guests to arrive after William and Kate, who were welcomed by David Hoyle.
The King and Queen then greeted all the other royals just inside the church before walking through the Abbey as a family.
Charles’ annual address to the Gentiles was contained in a special booklet given to the congregation. In his message he said: ‘Working together we can ensure the Commonwealth stands out as a force for good…’
He also talked about dealing with ‘testing moments’ during a time of ‘great challenges’.
It comes amid reports that Charles is preparing to discuss the thorny issue of his brother Andrew and his place in the line of succession with Commonwealth leaders later.
The King arrives for the Commonwealth Day Service, held annually at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the people and cultures of Commonwealth nations
Charles chats to members of the choir outside Westminster Abbey after Monday’s event
The King praised the ‘precious’ Commonwealth, describing it as a forum for ‘honest debate’ aimed at improving the lives of billions in an ‘increasingly fragmented’ world.
Charles also used his Commonwealth Day message to highlight that the institution has “untapped potential for successful trade between trusting partners.”
His remarks to the 56 member nations of the family of nations were released ahead of Monday’s Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The King is the titular Head of the Commonwealth, succeeding his late mother, Queen Elizabeth.
