Of all the titles he now holds, this is the only one that must be earned rather than simply inherited.
So the new head of the Commonwealth was determined to make his mark on his first Commonwealth Day in charge.
“In succeeding Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth,” the King told a 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey yesterday afternoon, “I draw great strength from her example, along with all that I have learned from the extraordinary people I have met. have met, for so many years in the Commonwealth.’
The titular leadership of the organization is not hereditary.
However, it is almost five years since the leaders of the Commonwealth countries unanimously agreed at their 2018 summit that the then Prince of Wales would succeed the Queen.
The King and Queen Consort were welcomed by Kiwi shell blowers and a swaying Maori choir that effectively drowned out a small cross-section of diverse protesters
King Charles III stops to see members of the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club perform
What was unusual yesterday was that the King delivered the customary Commonwealth Day message in person and from the abbey pulpit.
The late Queen would either deliver her annual message in the form of a written statement or pre-record it.
By delivering what was both a sermon and a promise to an organization that comprises nearly a third of the world’s population, the king underlined the seriousness with which he intends to take on this role.
He also alluded to the deep personal knowledge he brings to a famously diverse organization.
What was unusual yesterday was that the King personally and from the abbey pulpit delivered the usual Commonwealth Day message
King Charles shakes hands with Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland at the reception at Buckingham Palace after the service
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Service
“The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me,” he continued.
“Its almost limitless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; the sheer scale challenges us to unite and be courageous.”
There were also echoes of his previous speeches on environmental issues he made when he was Prince of Wales.
Those who decided that he should take a vow of silence on such matters once he became king have been proven wrong.
“The Commonwealth has an incredible opportunity and responsibility to create a truly sustainable future – one that provides the kind of prosperity that is in harmony with nature that will also secure our unique and only planet for future generations,” he added please.
His words complemented those of the other speaker at yesterday’s service, a young Samoan environmental activist, who called for more support for small island states on the frontlines of climate change.
There were also echoes of his earlier speeches on environmental issues he made when he was Prince of Wales (King Charles meets members of the Commonwealth community)
The abbey service – the last major event before the coronation in May – was the usual captivating mix of pop music, dance and ancient ceremonial
This year’s abbey service had the added bonus of having an extra layer of international leaders in attendance, as London hosts this week’s conference of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers.
It was supposed to take place at the United Nations last autumn, but was postponed after the Queen’s death.
The abbey service – the last major event before the coronation in May – was the usual captivating mix of pop music, dance and age-old ceremonial.
The King was joined by a full turnout of the new ‘working’ royal family – the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and his wife, Camilla
The new Duchess of Edinbugh attends the 2023 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey – where the Order of Service listed her as the ‘Countess of Wessex’
The Commonwealth Day celebration is always the most idiosyncratic on the Abbey’s calendar.
The King and Queen Consort were welcomed by Kiwi shell blowers and a swaying Maori choir that effectively drowned out a small cross-section of diverse protesters on the other side of the road.
The King was joined by a full turnout of the new ‘working’ royal family – the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Their elevation to the dukedom was still so new that the Order of Service had listed them as the ‘Earl and Countess of Wessex’.