King Charles and Kate Middleton make triumphant return to Commonwealth Day service 2025 after missing event last year due to cancer diagnoses | British royal family attend 2025 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey | Kate Middleton outfit jewels

The King and Princess of Wales have made a triumphant return to Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service, one year after being forced to miss the ceremony due to their separate cancer diagnoses.

The monarch led the nation in celebrating the Commonwealth – 56 independent member countries including Australia – at the event alongside Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The line-up of the senior royals was in contrast to last year’s service, which was led by Queen Camilla and Prince William, with the King and Catherine both absent due to serious health issues.

Watch the video above.

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The monarch’s diagnosis was revealed in February, 2024, and one month later – and just weeks after Commonwealth Day – Kate told the world that she, too, was battling cancer. Both had undergone surgery in the weeks before their separate announcements.

This year, the King lead the royal family in procession up the aisle of the Abbey, where 2000 guests from all over the Commonwealth gathered to hear music and poetry.

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The Commonwealth Day service is one of the most important on the royal calendar and it was of huge significance to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth, a role he took over from his mother.

This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is ‘Together We Thrive’.

In His Majesty’s Commonwealth Day message, printed in the programme, the King paid tribute to the “untold sacrifice and selflessness” of Commonwealth forces who answered the call to fight with Britain and its allies in the Second World War.

He wrote of those “from around our family of nations who gave their lives in that dreadful conflict”, sharing the “particular pride and everlasting gratitude” he felt for their contribution.

He also emphasised the need to restore the “disrupted harmony of our entire planet” as the most important task facing humanity.

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The Queen wore a blush pink ensemble by Fiona Clare, a beret hat by Philip Treacy and her pearl choker with a diamond clasp, which is one of Her Majesty’s favourite pieces. She wore the jewel while in Australia on tour with the King in October.

Last year, the Queen granted a Royal Warrant to Clare and Treacy in recognition of the designers’ years of service to the British royal family. Clare is one of two main clothing labels worn by the Queen, with most pieces bespoke to Her Majesty’s requirements.

Treacy has long been linked with the royal family, due to his designs made for royals over the decades including guests invited to royal weddings, garden parties, investitures, and other high-profile events.

The Princess of Wales chose a repeat Catherine Walker red coat dress and a hat by Gina Foster.

Her jewels were owned by the late Queen and Diana, Princess of Wales.

The pearl and diamond necklace, known as the Four Row Japanese Pearl Choker, was previously owned by Elizabeth II, who first loaned the necklace to Kate in 2017, and prior to that it was lent to Diana in 1982.

Kate has worn it numerous times, including for high-profile appearances at the funerals of both the Queen and Prince Philip.

She also wore the Collingwood pearl drop earrings, which belonged to her late mother-in-law and have become one of Kate’s most-worn pairs.

Princess Anne wore a gold brooch and earrings, both pieces gifted to her from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip when she married in 1973.

The Commonwealth Day service has been held since 1972.

The King’s message called on the people of the Commonwealth to come together, saying: “In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.

“The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time, and remains as ever-important today.”

In 2020, the service became Prince Harry and Meghan’s final engagement as working members of the royal family before they left the UK for a life of financial independence in the US.

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Following the service, Charles returned to Buckingham Palace to launch the inaugural King’s Baton Relay, officially starting the countdown to the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The King and Queen also attended the Commonwealth Day reception in the evening and were expected to hear a commemorative song by Andrew Lloyd Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.

In what Charles said was an innovative way to mark Commonwealth Day, he has also revealed a playlist of 17 songs from Commonwealth artists which he said had brought him joy, were significant to him or made him want to dance.

The King’s Music Room features songs by Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones and Davido and Raye, the artists selected from across the Commonwealth.

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