The Queen has told foreign dignitaries of her ‘sincere wish’ that they pick Prince Charles to take over as leader of the Commonwealth during a large summit at Buckingham Palace.
Her majesty and the heir to the throne have welcomed heads of states to the palace for the formal opening of the two-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
In a highly unusual move, the Queen, who turns 92 on Saturday, made clear her thoughts on succession, as she said she hoped her son would be able to ‘carry on the important work started by my father in 1949’.
The position is not hereditary, but Prince Charles, who is also the heir to the thrones of 16 Commonwealth nations, is expected to get the nod, despite some unease among ardent republicans.
A decision on whether Charles should succeed his mother as head of the Commonwealth when he becomes king is expected from the nations’ leaders on Friday, with reports suggesting the prince will get their backing.
Today’s spectacle of pomp and pageantry was staged to welcome guests, with a guard of honour and flag bearers displaying the flags of the Commonwealth’s 53 member states outside the palace grounds.
Amid tight security, which has seen the streets around Buckingham Palace cordoned off, motorcades carried guests into the forecourt for the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The royals were out in force for the opening ceremony, with the Queen and Charles joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra.
Queen Elizabeth, who has been the group’s symbolic figurehead since 1952, gave up long-haul travel in support of the biennial summit in 2013 and the 2020 gathering is set to be held in Malaysia.
Her Majesty said: ‘When I meet the young leaders of this century I meet my own lifelong commitment made in Africa in 1947 at the age of 21.
‘As another birthday approaches this week I’m reminded of the extraordinary journey I’ve been on and how much good has been achieved.
‘It remains a great pleasure and honour to serve you as head of the Commonwealth and to observe with pride and satisfaction that this is a flourishing network.
‘It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations – and will decide that one day the Prince of Wales will carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.
‘By continuing to treasure and reinvigorate our associations and activities I believe we will secure a prosperous and more sustainable world for those who follow us.
A world where the Commonwealth generosity of spirit can bring its gentle touch of healing and hope to all.’
The prime minister of Malta Dr Joseph Muscat, outgoing chair-in-office of the Commonwealth, also backed Charles as head of the Commonwealth, seeming to confirm the prince’s future role was a certainty.
‘We are equally elated by the vigour with which His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales actively participates in Commonwealth affairs and puts a strong Commonwealth dimension in his various national and global ventures,’ Dr Muscat said in a speech at the ceremony.
‘We are certain that, when he will be called upon to do so, he will provide solid and passionate leadership for our Commonwealth.’
In the palace’s ballroom, presidents and prime ministers from across the globe gathered for the launch of the two-day summit, normally held every two years, to discuss the Commonwealth’s most pressing issues.
Singer Emeli Sande, whose father is from the Commonwealth nation of Zambia while her mother is from the UK, began proceedings by giving a soaring rendition of the National Anthem.
The Prime Minister addressed the gathered delegates, adding: ‘This is an occasion to celebrate, with renewed pride, our remarkable Commonwealth family.’
The host for the event was BBC presenter Reeta Chakrabarti and she introduced a group of singers from across the Commonwealth who performed the Natasha Bedingfield song Unwritten.
More than 100 officers and soldiers from the Coldstream Guards are in the honour guard, wearing their famous scarlet tunics and bearskins, alongside the Band and Corps of Drums of the Coldstream Guards.
Prince Charles also addressed the dignitaries, and said he hoped the summit would give the Commonwealth a renewed relevance to all citizens.
He added: ‘I pray that this Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will not only revitalise the bonds between our countries, but will also give the Commonwealth a renewed relevance to all citizens.
‘By doing so, the Commonwealth can be a cornerstone for the lives of future generations, just as it has been for so many of us.’
Prince Charles stressed that the family of 53 nations has been an important part of his life.
‘For my part, the Commonwealth has been a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember, beginning with my first visit to Malta when I was just five years old,’ he said.
‘I consider myself fortunate over the years to have been able to meet and talk with so many of the giants of the Commonwealth.
‘Sir Robert Menzies; Kwame Nkrumah; Sir Keith Holyoake; Jomo Kenyatta; Pierre Trudeau; Kenneth Kaunda; Julius Nyerere; Lee Kuan Yew and many more. ‘
Speaking of the monarch, Mrs May said: ‘This week you have opened your homes to us – here in London and in Windsor. Over many years you have been the Commonwealth’s most steadfast and fervent champion.
You have been true to the deepest values of the Commonwealth – that the voice of the smallest member country is worth precisely as much as that of the largest; that the wealthiest and the most vulnerable stand shoulder to shoulder.
‘You have seen us through some of our most serious challenges. And we commit to sustaining this Commonwealth, which you have so carefully nurtured.’
At the end of their deliberations the leaders usually agree a communique on a major issue and the prime ministers and presidents may commit themselves to a blue charter on ocean conservation.
Other topics expected to be discussed range from cyber security to trade between Commonwealth nations.
Downing Street said on Monday that a decision on whether Charles should succeed his mother as Commonwealth head was expected from the heads of state on Friday, and reports have stated the mood is Charles will get their backing.
Daily Mail
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