PRINCESS Kate and Prince William have joined stars including Geri Horner and Alexandra Burke for a Commonwealth service.
King Charles is expected to deliver a message marking the occasion in Westminster Abbey, and will no doubt, pay tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Prince and Princess of Wales at the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey
Geri Horner attends the 2023 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
King Charles III with a member of the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club
Camilla struggling with the wind as she arrives at the ceremony
Charles was spotted greeting a member of the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club before entering Westminster Abbey.
And the King also stopped to watch an incredible traditional performance by the London Maori Club on the way in.
While Will and Kate beamed as they walked in with the Prince seen waving to excited crowds.
Other members of the royal family in attendance are Queen Consort Camilla, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
The star-studded service has also seen appearances from Alexandra Burke, Denise Lewis and Geri Horner.
The Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, referenced the coronation ceremony as the Commonwealth Day service began.
He said: “We will pray too for our King as we look to the day when we will gather here again in loyalty and affection.
“As people of faith, hope, and compassion, we shall pray for the peoples of Turkey, Syria, and Ukraine, and all for whom the last year has brought great suffering and loss.”
The annual service was the scene of Harry and Meg’s final official public engagement as senior working royals in 2020.
Prince Harry, 38, and Meghan Markle, 41, have been invited to Charle’s coronation on May 6 and while there has been no confirmation it is expected they will attend.
Relations between Harry and Meghan and his family have become increasingly strained since ‘Megxit’ when the couple left Britain for life in California where they have set up home in Montecito.
Harry even described his brother, Prince William, as his “arch-nemesis” in his memoir Spare.
Charles is now head of the Commonwealth, following in the late Queen’s footsteps after she successfully lobbied for him to take on the role.
A Commonwealth flag for peace will be carried in the procession of Commonwealth members’ flags to mark 2023 as Commonwealth Year of Peace.
And musical performances will include saxophonist Yolanda Brown, West End stars Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera, and the all-female Amalgamation Choir, from Cyprus.
Guests of honour among the 2,000-strong congregation will include the Commonwealth secretary-general, the prime minister of Samoa, high commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the UK and the Commonwealth.
Also attending will be 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.
The service is being broadcast live on BBC One.
Alexandra Burke is one of the VIPs attending the service
Legendary athlete Denise Lewis was also in attendance
