The Princess of Wales is set to make a grand appearance alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla at one of the year’s most significant Royal engagements. The palace has confirmed that she will be joining Prince William for the much-anticipated Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today (Monday, March 10).
Last year, both Kate and the King were unable to attend this important event due to cancer diagnoses. However, the princess has now said she is in remission and is making a gradual return to public duties.
Kate was diagnosed with cancer after having abdominal surgery at the beginning of 2024 and revealed at the end of March that she was undergoing chemotherapy. She has carried out several engagements this year so far as she continues her return to public life, including visiting Pontypridd ahead of St David’s Day earlier this month.
The gathering on Commonwealth Day is shaping up to be the largest since the royals came together on Christmas Day. William, Kate, Charles and Camilla will also attend the service along with Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Buckingham Palace announced.
With this year’s theme being “Together We Thrive”, the celebration aims to honor the “enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family”. King Charles, as the Head of the Commonwealth, traditionally addresses the assembly of 56 nations, reports the Mirror.
However, last year he substituted his in-person speech with a video message after taking a three-month hiatus from his public responsibilities.
The King expressed his gratitude in a video message last year, stating: “In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.”
He added: “My belief in our shared endeavours and in the potential of our people remains as sure and strong as it has ever been. I have no doubt that we will continue to support one another across the Commonwealth as, together, we continue this vital journey.”
After attending the service on Monday, the King and Queen will join Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland at the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at Marlborough House. The event will feature a song by Andrew Lloyd Webber to commemorate the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.Earlier in the day, the King will initiate the Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, marking the start of the Glasgow 2026 Games.
This comes after the original hosts, Victoria in Australia, withdrew due to soaring costs.Glasgow has stepped in to host the Games next summer, following Australia’s five previous hostings, including the 2018 Gold Coast and 2006 Melbourne events.