King Charles has vowed to the Commonwealth to ‘continue to serve you, to the best of my ability’ as he continues his treatment for cancer.
In a video message recorded at Windsor Castle, the 75-year-old monarch thanked people for their ‘wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes’ over his cancer diagnosis.
The King said: ‘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 refers to the origins of the Commonwealth in the network of countries that once formed the British Empire, saying: ‘The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949.
‘Last year, the Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year.
King Charles has vowed to the Commonwealth to ‘continue to serve you, to the best of my ability’ as he continues his treatment for cancer
Charles pictured attending the Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate in February
‘Each of these milestones – and many others like them – represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.
‘And the Commonwealth’s growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future – working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges.’
The video was played today at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day.
Charles, who followed in his late mother’s footsteps as head of the ‘family of nations’, is unable to attend this year’s celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth due to his diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
In a royal first he recorded an address that was played to the congregation, reflecting on the journey the Commonwealth has made since its inception in 1949.
In his absence the family was led by his wife the Queen, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, and an extended roster of royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
The King’s video was filmed last month at Windsor Castle, one of the places where His Majesty has been recuperating.
In what many will interpret as a veiled reference to colonialism and slavery, the King referenced ‘inequalities and injustices’ of the past ‘which still resonate today’ and urged member nations to continue to ‘find ways of healing’.
The video was played today at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day
Prince William arrives to attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
Queen Camilla stands with the Prince of Wales at Westminster Abbey
First row from left: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Prince William
From left to right: Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh, Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne
Referring to climate change, the loss of nature and the social and economic changes new technologies are bringing, he said: ‘Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways.
‘Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us. All of this means that we must work together to understand each other’s perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day.
‘We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions. I cannot say often enough that it is by coming together that we create the best chances to improve our world and the lives of people everywhere.’
Prince William was all smiles at the service as he made his first appearance since Kate Middleton admitted she made some ‘edits’ to the Mother’s Day released by the Waleses yesterday.
The Princess of Wales was spotted beside William in his car as he headed to the annual service.
But rather than an extraordinary return to royal duties, MailOnline understands that Kate was heading to a private appointment instead.
It is not known where the Princess of Wales was going, but it was clearly on her husband’s route into central London because he arrived alone for the 2.45pm service attended by senior royals including Queen Camilla and Princess Anne.
Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him
Kate was seen looking out of the window of the car as William looked like he was reading notes on his phone
A smiling Prince William walks into the Commonwealth Service this afternoon
Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery
Kate had looked out of her window as William appeared to read some notes on his phone as they were swept out of the grounds of Windsor Castle in a blue Range Rover that later dropped William at the Abbey without her.
The mother-of-three was not expected to be seen in public until after Easter following abdominal surgery and two weeks in a private London hospital in January. It came as online conspiracy theories swirled around the princess and her health.
It came as Kensington Palace came under increasing pressure to release the original Mother’s Day photograph after the Princess of Wales apologised after she admitted had edited the family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Experts told MailOnline it was changed using Photoshop and the Adobe software’s AI tool.