Instead of the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, due to the ongoing pandemic, the Queen was joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Countess of Wessex in ‘A Celebration for Commonwealth Day’ – a special programme broadcast on BBC One. The Queen is the Head of the Commonwealth, a global network of 54 countries, and a vast community which spans every geographical region, religion and culture, embracing diversity amongst its population of 2.4 billion people. The Commonwealth Theme for 2021 is ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’, celebrating the Commonwealth countries’ united efforts to achieve their common goals, including protecting natural resources, boosting trade, and delivering a peaceful, prosperous and more sustainable future for all. ‘A Celebration for Commonwealth Day’ honours the Queen’s lifetime commitment to the Commonwealth.

HRH The Prince of Wales gives a reflection celebrating the critical work being carried out by nations across the Commonwealth to combat climate change and protect unique landscapes, marine environments and biodiversity. The reflection was recorded last week in the Abbey’s nave. pic.twitter.com/ADsek83F83

— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) March 7, 2021

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is joined in Poets’ Corner by Clare Balding and via video link from India by award winning teacher Ranjitsinh Disale to discuss the importance of reading to children across the Commonwealth, especially over this last year of disrupted education pic.twitter.com/Z7p0uSMRiH

— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) March 7, 2021

🇿🇦 Dr. Zolelwa Sifumba is working to advocate for healthcare workers and the importance of looking after those in the medical profession on the front line.

This #CommonwealthDay The Duke and Duchess spoke with medical, charity and voluntary staff from across the Commonwealth 🌍 pic.twitter.com/tE1ShYCzts

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 7, 2021

In her annual Commonwealth Day message, the Queen paid tribute to the way in which communities across the family of nations have come together in response to the pandemic. The Prince of Wales recorded a message addressing the universal devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, celebrating the critical work being carried out by nations across the Commonwealth to combat climate change and protect its unique landscapes, marine environments and biodiversity. The Duchess of Cornwall spoke to broadcaster Clare Balding about the importance of books and reading for children across the Commonwealth, especially in a year of isolation and disrupted education. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to medical, charity and voluntary staff from across the Commonwealth to hear more about the work they have been carrying out to care for those within their communities, as well as what inspired them to support their communities, the impact of the vital work they are carrying out, and how they have adapted their efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Countess of Wessex spoke to three women from around the Commonwealth, to hear about their experiences of supporting other women and their wider communities, marking both Commonwealth Day and International Women’s Day.