Friday, 12 January 2018

Commonwealth Day Service & Reception

Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
Picture credit: Westminster Abbey/Picture Partnership

Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations (AKA the British Commonwealth). It is held on the second Monday in March each year.

Service
Each year on Commonwealth Day, a service is held at Westminster Abbey in London. The service is attended by the Monarch and a number of working royals. As part of the service the Monarch gives a Address. The address has been given in many forms over the years: In person speech, pre-recorded audio and printed in the program. 
The Service usually begins at 2:45 PM. And airs live on BBC 1. 

Reception
Commonwealth Day Reception 2013
Photo: Commonwealth Secretariat

During Queen Elizabeth's reign a reception was held after the service by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at Marlborough House. And was usually attended by a couple. In 2023, during the first year of King Charles's reign, he hosted the reception at Buckingham Palace and attended by almost all of the royals attending the service. 

Royals Attending Service & Reception:

King Charles III's Reign
Boxes in blue represent the Royals in the Procession that year.

Royal2023202420252026 202720282029
Charlesx
--- --
Camillax--- --
Williamx--- --
Katex
--- --
Edwardx--- --
Sophiex
-- --
Annex--- --
Timx
--- --
Duke of Gloucester
x---- -
Duchess of Gloucester
x---- -
Duke of Kent
x---- -
Buckingham Palace ReceptionAll from Service,
except for Kate
--- --
Attend 
Secretary-General's 
Reception
No ReceptionQueen Camilla--- --

Notes:
2023: Princess Kate was initially announced as attending the reception, but did not. The Palace then stated she was never scheduled to attend. 
2024: King Charles was undergoing Cancer Treatment. Princess Kate was on Sick Leave following recovering from Abdominal Surgery.

Queen Elizabeth II's Reign
2021-2022
Boxes in Blue represent the Royals in the Procession that year.

20212022
Queen Elizabeth* Canceled
Charles* X
Camila* x
William* x
Kate* x
Edward
Sophie*
Anne
 -
Alexandra
 X
Other Royals
 (Duke & Duchess of
Gloucester canceled
 due to Covid) 
Attend
Secretary-General
Reception		No ReceptionCharles

Notes:
2022 - This was Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Year
2021 - the service was held digitally due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The royals listed * participated in the digital service. 

2011- 2020
Boxes in Blue represent the Royals in the Procession. Boxes in Green represent Royals who were listed in the order of Service as being apart of the Procession but weren’t actually. 
2011 2012
(Diamond
Jubilee)		 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Queen Elizabeth
x
x
Sick
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Philip
 x x x x x x x
Retired
Charles
 x x x x
x
 x x
Camilla
 x x x x x x x
William
 x x x x x
Kate
 x x x x x
Harry
 x x x x x
Meghan
Pre-Wedding
 x x x
Andrew
 x x x x
Edward
 x x x
Sophie
 x x x x
Anne
x
Duchess of
Gloucester
x
Alexandra
x
Other
Royals
Did not Attend
Attend
Secretary-General
Reception		Queen Queen
Philip		 Charles
Camilla		 Charles
Camilla
 William		 Charles
Camilla

Note: 
2017- Year of the big media uproar about Prince William & Princess Kate not attending.

2001- 2010
Boxes in Blue represent the Royals in the Procession.

2001 2002
(Golden
Jubilee)		 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Queen Elizabeth
x
x
x
x
x
 Out of 
Country
x
x
x
x
Philip
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Charles
x
x
x
Camilla
Pre-Wedding
 x


Other Royals
Did not Attend
Attend
Secretary-General
Reception		Queen
Philip
Charles		 ? Queen
Philip		 Charles
Camilla		 Queen
Philip		 Queen
Philip
Charles
Camilla

1991- 2000

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Queen Elizabeth
 x ? Sick x x x
x
x
x
x
Philip
 ? ?

x x Out of 
Country
x
x
 Out of 
Country
Charles
 ? ?



x
x
Edward
 ?? x





Anne
 ? x






Other Royals
Did not Attend
Attend
Secretary-General
Reception		? ? ? ?? ? Queen
Charles		 Queen Queen
Philip		 Queen
Charles

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