This website uses cookies to enable our site to work and to improve your experience. We also analyse the pages visited. By clicking “Accept”, you agree to our website’s cookie use described in our Cookie Policy.

Girls attend Commonwealth Service

14 March 2017 -

Eight girls from Wycombe Abbey were thrilled to join 800 children and young people from across the UK at the Commonwealth Service in Westminster Abbey, in celebration of Commonwealth Day. Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, attended, accompanied by TRH The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Henry of Wales, The Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex.

The Service celebrated the 2017 Commonwealth theme of ‘A Peace-building Commonwealth’, reaffirming the Commonwealth Charter principle that: ‘international peace and security, sustainable economic growth and development and the rule of law are essential to the progress and prosperity of all’. The aim of the Service was to celebrate the unity, diversity and linkages of the modern Commonwealth and to foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth’s achievements and role.

Speakers at the Service included the Prime Minister of Malta and Commonwealth Chair-in-Office the Hon Dr Joseph Muscat MP and Cameroonian peace advocate Achaleke Christian Leke, a former victim of radicalisation and violence. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, led the Act of Affirmation to the Commonwealth.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, DBE and Ms Fadumo Olow, a young Muslim woman from the Youth Sport Trust, processed The Queen’s Baton to the High Altar with Commonwealth athletes Anna Meares OAM and Kurt Fearnley OAM.

The audience enjoyed performances by Australian musician, Cody Simpson, British spoken-word performer, George the Poet, and Canadian Soprano, Measha Brueggergosman. The event was broadcast live on BBC One and relayed live on BBC World Service.

Kelly, LV said, “With thought-provoking speeches, the Commonwealth Service lead us to think carefully about peace in the world. The hymns were evidently chosen with the utmost consideration and care to reflect the theme of peace this year in the Commonwealth.”

You can see the recording on iPlayer and photos from all of the Commonwealth Day celebrations can be found here.