King Charles issues a challenge in first Commonwealth Day address as monarch

King Charles III is greeted with a Hongi. Photo / Getty Images

The King has issued a rallying call to the Commonwealth to “unite and be bold” in order to reach its “near-boundless potential” as a force for good.

In his first Commonwealth Day address as monarch, King Charles said the diversity of the organisation’s 56 member states continued to “amaze and inspire” him.

The annual service comes amid increasing questions about the Commonwealth’s future, fuelled by a growing republican sentiment and calls for slavery reparations within former colonies.

As head of the Commonwealth, the King will face inevitable change in the coming years as realms gradually break their ties with the British Crown.

The King was joined at the abbey by senior royals including the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.

On arrival, the King was welcomed at the West Door with a traditional Māori greeting by the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, rubbing noses with two of its members.

Members of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club perform ahead of the 2023 Commonwealth Day Service. Photo / Getty Images

The Queen Consort, wearing a sapphire blue outfit by Fiona Clare and the late Queen’s sapphire and diamond brooch, had gone ahead, apparently fearful that her hat would be blown off in the strong winds.

The Princess of Wales, also forced to hold on to her hat in the wind, wore a navy outfit adorned with the Prince of Wales feathers brooch, given to her last year by the King and passed down the generations from Queen Alexandra.

The King opted to deliver his address from the pulpit, unlike his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose message was published along with a recorded audio version.

His Majesty said the organisation had an “imperative to act” in order to make a difference to the lives of its combined 2.6 billion strong population, more than half of whom are under the age of 30.

“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,” he said.

The Queen Consort holds onto her hat in the wind as she arrives for the annual Commonwealth Day service. Photo / Getty Images

The King added: “Our shared humanity contains such precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition and experience. By listening to each other, we will find so many of the solutions that we seek.

“This extraordinary potential, which we hold in common, is more than equal to the challenges we face.

“It offers us unparalleled strength not merely to face the future, but to build it.

The monarch, whose theme was “forging a sustainable and peaceful common future”, said the Commonwealth had an “incredible opportunity, and responsibility” to create a future that was in harmony with nature and preserved the planet for future generations.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were also in attendance at the event. Photo / Getty Images

He added: “The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me.

“Its near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold.”

The monarch also paid tribute to the late Queen, telling the congregation that the service was “an occasion of particular pride” for his beloved mother, from whose example he drew strength.

The service included musical performances from the saxophonist Yolanda Brown, West End stars Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera, and the all-female Amalgamation Choir from Cyprus.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive for the service. Photo / Getty Images

Among the guests of honour in the 2000-strong congregation were Baroness Scotland, the Commonwealth secretary-general; the prime minister of Samoa, high commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the UK and the Commonwealth.

Also attending were athletes from the home nations who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer, as well as faith leaders, and more than 750 schoolchildren and young people from throughout the UK.

On Monday evening, the King and Queen Consort and members of the royal family will entertain the Commonwealth secretary-general, high commissioners, foreign affairs ministers and other members of the Commonwealth community at a Buckingham Palace reception.