HM The Queen attends 2012 Commonwealth celebration
Monday, 12th March 2012
An Observance for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey on Monday 12th March 2012 was attended by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh with HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and HRH The Countess of Wessex.
Senator The Honourable Jan McLucas, of the Australian Senate, represented the Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth.
In his Bidding the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:
In The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, we recall in particular Her Majesty’s coronation here on 2nd June 1953. We give thanks for sixty years of faithful service to this Nation, the Realms, and the whole Commonwealth under God.
In The Queen’s Commonwealth Day Message, Her Majesty said:
This year, our Commonwealth focus seeks to explore how we can share and strengthen the bond of Commonwealth citizenship we already enjoy by using our cultural connections to help bring us even closer together, as family and friends across the globe.‘Connecting Cultures, our Commonwealth theme this year, encourages us to consider the special opportunities we have, as members of this unique gathering of nations, to celebrate an extraordinary cultural tapestry that reflects our many individual and collective identities. The Commonwealth treasures and respects this wealth of diversity.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General HE Kamalesh Sharma read the Act of Affirmation to the Commonwealth.