Commonwealth Day Service is an annual public engagement attended by most members of the British royal family, headed by the Queen.Â
In 2021, the service at Westminster Abbey was cancelled due to the pandemic.Â
The last time the royal family attended the service was in 2020, which also marked the last time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen taking their senior royal roles.
Commonwealth Day Service 2022
This year however, the Queen missed attending the service at Westminster Abbey and asked her son and heir, Prince Charles, to represent her. This year is also the first Commonwealth Day Service that the Queen would not be marking the event with Prince Philip, who passed away on April 9, 2021.
It can be recalled that it was the Commonwealth Tour royal duty in 1952 that the Queen ascended the throne when her father, King George VI, died in Sandringham while she and Prince Philip were in Kenya, the first stop of the tour.
Reason of the Queen not attending the service
Royal insiders quickly downplayed the reason of the monarch not attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey for the first time in her reign. It is not due to illness.
The decision of the Queen missing the church service related to the celebration was made after discussion with the royal household. No detailed explanations were given but royal observers understand it's all about the convenience and comfort for the Queen traveling from Windsor Castle, where she is permanently based now, to London. And it is not about illness.
In February, during an audience with her most senior members of the royal household, the 95-year-old was heard confiding she "cannot move", referring to her limited mobility due to backpain she has been suffering since late last year.
Attending this year's Commonwealth day service at Westminster Abbey will pose some inconveniences to the aging monarch, thus, it is a right decision to just stay at home and watch the service on television.
The Queen, however, will continue to conduct her duty through virtual meetings at the comfort of her home in Windsor Castle, and physical audience when necessary.
The Queen was tested positive for COVID-19 in February this year with just mild symptoms, weeks later, she was seen well and began receiving dignitaries at her sitting room including Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau.Â
She is expected to attend the memorial service in honor to her late husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, this coming March 27.Â
The Queen won't abdicate
Despite her frail body, limited mobility and advanced age, the Queen is not expected to abdicate in great contrast to speculations of the public. She won't and would never abdicate as long as she lives.Â
In her Commonwealth Day message, Her Majesty renewed her pledge to devote her life to service, "In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, it has given me pleasure to renew the promise I made in 1947 that my life will always be devoted in service", the Queen said in a message.
Commonwealth Day Service 2020
The last Commonwealth day service attended by senior members of the royal family was in 2020.Â
The event swung into tension as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the decision to step back from royal roles. It was also the last time the controversial couple made an appearance in public with the royal family.
The service in Westminster Abbey was highlighted with intrigue as attention was focused between the royal brothers and their wives. The Queen walked ahead of her family and seated in front beside the Prince of Wales inside the church.Â
Hours after the service, Harry and Meghan flew back to the United States leaving behind their royal lives, and Britain, for good.
Commonwealth Day Service is annually celebrated by the British royal family in recognition to members of the Commonwealth of Nations consisting of 54 nations across continents, and more than 2 billion people.
The Queen's Commonwealth Day 2022 Message in Full
In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, it has given me pleasure to renew the promise I made in 1947, that my life will always be devoted in service.
Today, it is rewarding to observe a modern, vibrant and connected Commonwealth that combines a wealth of history and tradition with the great social, cultural and technological advances of our time. That the Commonwealth stands ever taller is a credit to all who have been involved.
We are nourished and sustained by our relationships and, throughout my life, I have enjoyed the privilege of hearing what the relationships built across the great reach and diversity of the Commonwealth have meant to people and communities.
Our family of nations continues to be a point of connection, cooperation and friendship. It is a place to come together to pursue common goals and the common good, providing everyone with the opportunity to serve and benefit. In these testing times, it is my hope that you can draw strength and inspiration from what we share, as we work together towards a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for all.
And on this special day for our family – in a year that will include the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the Commonwealth Games – I hope we can deepen our resolve to support and serve one another, and endeavour to ensure the Commonwealth remains an influential force for good in our world for many generations to come.
ELIZABETH R.
0 Comments