LONDON, England — His Excellency Ellison Greenslade, QPM, Bahamas High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, attended the Commonwealth Day service held at Westminster Abbey on Monday, March 11, 2019.
Commonwealth countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe observed Commonwealth Day 2019, and in addition to the multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey, the celebration included a broad range of activities, including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag raising ceremonies, street parties, and cultural events.
The theme for 2019 was “A Connected Commonwealth”, which “offers opportunities for the people, governments and institutions of this richly diverse family of nations to connect and work together at many levels through far-reaching and deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill,” according to the Commonwealth’s website.
“This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Commonwealth as it is configured today, with old ties and new links enabling co-operation towards social, political and economic development, which is both inclusive and sustainable,” the website notes.
Founded on December 11, 1931, the Commonwealth’s Charter says that “international peace and security, sustainable economic growth and development and the rule of law are essential to the progress and prosperity of all”.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who is the head of the Commonwealth, attended the Commonwealth Day service along with other senior members of the Royal Family and “leading figures from national life,” according to Yahoo News.
“In her message to mark Commonwealth Day, the head of state praised how the family of nations inspires its member states to find ways of protecting the planet and its citizens,” according to the Yahoo News report. “Millions of people are drawn together because of the collective values shared by the institution, the Queen says in her address to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.”
The written message was featured in the order of service for the Commonwealth Day service.
In her message, Her Majesty says, “In April last year, I welcomed the leaders of our 53 nations to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and we all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope, and inspires us to find ways of protecting our planet, and our people.
“We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of co-operation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw.
“With enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that whilst the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be intangible, its impact is very real.”
The Queen was joined at the Commonwealth Day service by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York.
“Other guests among the 2,000-strong congregation included Prime Minister Theresa May, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland, alongside high commissioners, ambassadors, faith leaders and more than 800 schoolchildren and young people,” the Yahoo News report noted.
