Smartly dressed teenager carrying Commonwealth country flags down the Nave

Commonwealth at the Abbey

Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations. It recognises the unity and diversity of this remarkable family of nations.

Westminster Abbey celebrates the occasion with a special service that takes place on the second Monday of March each year.

Commonwealth Day 2024

Watch highlights

Watch highlights

See all the activity from the 2024 Commonwealth service in 60 seconds.

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Ghetto kids - A Ugandan dance group - perform as the congregation watch

Ghetto kids

Watch the performance by the Ugandan dance group

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Members of the Royal Family celebrate Commonwealth Day

Members of the Royal Family celebrate Commonwealth Day

Watch the service

Watch the service

See 2024's Commonwealth Day service in its entirety on YouTube

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What is the Commonwealth?

What is the Commonwealth?

Today’s Commonwealth was formally established by the 1949 London Declaration, which modernised the community and acknowledged the member states as free and equal. 

The modern Commonwealth is an association of 56 member states with a combined population of 2.4 billion citizens, almost a third of the world's people. Commonwealth countries span Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. Members are diverse – they are amongst the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries, and are home to myriad cultures and religions.

All members have an equal say regardless of size or wealth, ensuring even the smallest countries have a voice in shaping the Commonwealth.

Services

Services

The Commonwealth Day service has been held at the Abbey since 1972. The service is often attended by the monarch along with other members of the Royal Family. They are joined by representatives from the Commonwealth nations, which are also represented in the procession of flags at the start of the service.

An Indian dancer demonstrates her art to children in Westminster Abbey

Commonwealth at the Abbey

Find out our more about the Abbey's connection with the Commonwealth and discover resources and events.