:00:23. > :00:30.Good afternoon and welcome to Westminster Abbey for a special
:00:31. > :00:34.service to celebrate the 52 nations of the Commonwealth
:00:35. > :00:38.This service is held every year at Westminster Abbey and today
:00:39. > :00:44.Our relationship with the Commonwealth stretches
:00:45. > :00:47.back decades, but it could be that it is about to assume
:00:48. > :00:50.Soon, with our upcoming exit from the European Union,
:00:51. > :00:52.Britain's place in the world will change forever.
:00:53. > :00:55.We'll be looking for new partners and new relationships
:00:56. > :01:00.as well as endeavouring to renew and refresh some of our traditional
:01:01. > :01:02.alliances and representatives from those old alliances will be
:01:03. > :01:09.The Commonwealth has been the most enduring achievement
:01:10. > :01:13.of The Queen's reign and today, here at Westminster Abbey,
:01:14. > :01:18.it will be celebrated as it is every year.
:01:19. > :01:21.But this year of all years it may be with renewed vigour
:01:22. > :01:27.with an eye on Britain's future as much as our past.
:01:28. > :01:30.Well, as Head of the Commonwealth the Queen will lead the congregation
:01:31. > :01:34.With her will be the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales
:01:35. > :01:36.and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.
:01:37. > :01:38.The Commonwealth has always been hugely important to the Queen
:01:39. > :01:41.in a very personal way, and she has passed that
:01:42. > :01:46.commitment down to the younger members of her Family.
:01:47. > :01:48.Last year Prince Harry visited seven Commonwealth countries
:01:49. > :01:53.The Royal Family's attendance here today, and every year,
:01:54. > :01:57.reflects their continued support of the Commonwealth.
:01:58. > :02:05.The Commonwealth has an exceptionally young population.
:02:06. > :02:08.Of the its two and a half billion people, 60% are under 30-years-old.
:02:09. > :02:11.So gathered here in the congregation are over 600 school children,
:02:12. > :02:14.reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to youth.
:02:15. > :02:17.They recognise that the continued success of the Commonwealth
:02:18. > :02:23.rests with the young promoting its principles and values.
:02:24. > :02:26.As you would expect from an association that spans
:02:27. > :02:28.almost every corner of the globe today's service has
:02:29. > :02:42.There will be music and readings from across the Commonwealth.
:02:43. > :02:51.Baroness Scotland is playing a significant role in today's
:02:52. > :02:54.proceedings. Patricia Scotland made history by becoming the sixth
:02:55. > :02:57.Secretary-General and I know Secretary-General you have referred
:02:58. > :03:02.to yourself as a classic child of the Caribbean. How does that
:03:03. > :03:05.background prepare you for this role? Well, of course, because I've
:03:06. > :03:10.always been a child of the Commonwealth. I've got an Antiguan
:03:11. > :03:15.father. I was born in Dominic ka, but I grew up in the United Kingdom.
:03:16. > :03:22.Classic Commonwealth territory. And it makes me so proud now to be here
:03:23. > :03:26.as Secretary-General, head of the secretariat and sefring all 52
:03:27. > :03:32.countries in our Celt and 2.4 billion people. You've been serving
:03:33. > :03:36.that many people for almost a year now and in those 12 months so much
:03:37. > :03:40.has changed. How do you think the Commonwealth has to adapt to the
:03:41. > :03:44.challenges? I think one of the great things about the Commonwealth is 60%
:03:45. > :03:50.of our citizens are beneath the age of 30. So young, vibrant, forward
:03:51. > :03:54.looking, their future is all there before them and now the people say
:03:55. > :04:02.if the Commonwealth didn't exist we'd to make it up. We've got six
:04:03. > :04:05.regions, all races, all colours, all nationalities within our
:04:06. > :04:09.Commonwealth, but just as importantly, we share common
:04:10. > :04:13.language, common institutions and common values and that's binding us
:04:14. > :04:16.together and that friendship has been absolutely phenomenal. Is that
:04:17. > :04:20.where the Commonwealth draws it's main strength from? I think it is
:04:21. > :04:27.because we have so much in common and we have been together for so
:04:28. > :04:33.many years that that nexus is really tight and binds us and this year we
:04:34. > :04:36.are doing a peace building Commonwealth. We are starting with
:04:37. > :04:41.peace in our home. One in three women will suffer from domestic
:04:42. > :04:46.violence at some stage. We would like to reverse that and we want the
:04:47. > :04:50.Commonwealth to be right up there in front, planning, and working
:04:51. > :04:55.together, trying to decide what works and what doesn't work and then
:04:56. > :04:58.doing that which works to make us a safer, better, more peaceful
:04:59. > :05:06.Commonwealth. Secretary-General, thank you very much. We look forward
:05:07. > :05:16.to hearing your affirmation later. Thank you.
:05:17. > :05:23.Watching this service with me, sitting Inside Westminster Abbey is
:05:24. > :05:28.Dr Sue Onslow, we heard from Baroness Scotland. She is the
:05:29. > :05:30.Secretary-General, but if we take a step back, how important do you
:05:31. > :05:34.think the Commonwealth really is? Well, in these days of conflict
:05:35. > :05:37.politics, more than ever. The Commonwealth is an extraordinary
:05:38. > :05:41.people organisation. It's an association that relies on multiple
:05:42. > :05:45.connections across the world and it's an opportunity for people to
:05:46. > :05:49.work together. It works by consensus and by peer encouragement rather
:05:50. > :05:53.than coercion and compulsion and its DNA is everyone has an equal voice
:05:54. > :05:57.and I think right now, we need the politics and activities that foster
:05:58. > :06:01.co-operation. It is interesting you say that because it is a pivotal
:06:02. > :06:04.time, isn't it, with the Prime Minister intending to notify the
:06:05. > :06:09.European Union of Britain's intention to withdraw from the EU
:06:10. > :06:12.very shortly. This is a rapidly changing world. Given the context,
:06:13. > :06:18.what role do you think the Commonwealth can play? The modern
:06:19. > :06:21.Commonwealth is, it is not a nostalgic organisation. It grew out
:06:22. > :06:24.of Britain's relations with its former colonies, but it is a
:06:25. > :06:30.different entity now. It is a political organisation as well as a
:06:31. > :06:32.developal association and it works in multiple ways, strengthening,
:06:33. > :06:36.democracy in its member states and on the big themes that touch
:06:37. > :06:40.people's lives every day. The Secretary-General made reference to
:06:41. > :06:44.women's rights and issues. Issues of climate change to support youth, so
:06:45. > :06:49.much of the Commonwealth's work goes on below the surface. It is like an
:06:50. > :06:55.iceberg. Its professional associations of which there are over
:06:56. > :07:00.80 form a Matrix of networks across the world, covering professions,
:07:01. > :07:04.judges, lawyers, Local Government, Parliament. Sharing knowledge and
:07:05. > :07:07.expertise. So, a lot of people might think of the Commonwealth as quite a
:07:08. > :07:12.quaint organisation, something with its roots in the past. But with not
:07:13. > :07:16.very much of a presence in the present. Is that fair? I don't think
:07:17. > :07:22.it is. I understand why you might think that, but I go back to my
:07:23. > :07:26.point about it being an iceberg. It has hard-headed practical value as
:07:27. > :07:31.well as important spiritual and political value in terms of its
:07:32. > :07:36.support for the values within the Commonwealth Charter. So, it has, as
:07:37. > :07:43.I said, a relevance in today's world, more than ever before. Well,
:07:44. > :07:46.one of the most established and well-known institutions of the
:07:47. > :07:50.Commonwealth must be the Commonwealth Games and this morning,
:07:51. > :08:01.we saw the start of the Queen's Baton Relay from Buckingham Palace.
:08:02. > :08:06.The 288 day journey began when Anna Mears had the privilege of accepting
:08:07. > :08:22.the baton from Her Majesty the Queen.
:08:23. > :08:28.APPLAUSE Anna is joined by fellow
:08:29. > :08:29.international cycling great and nine times world champion, Great
:08:30. > :08:43.Britain's Victoria Pendleton. Its third baton bearer is Cody
:08:44. > :09:06.Simpson. A van arrives outside the gates of
:09:07. > :09:22.Buckingham Palace to take the baton on the next stage of its journey.
:09:23. > :09:34.And we can see the combi van on the last part of its journey coming up
:09:35. > :09:40.to Westminster Abbey. Bringing that baton containing the message from
:09:41. > :09:45.the Queen and Sue, it is interesting, isn't it, I suspect
:09:46. > :09:50.that most people, when they think about the Commonwealth will think
:09:51. > :09:57.about the Games? Commonwealth Games? Sport is a visual fun part of the
:09:58. > :10:02.Commonwealth. We saw that in Glasgow in 2014 when Usain Bolt came and
:10:03. > :10:06.sprinkle his stardust on the Commonwealth Games. I'm looking at
:10:07. > :10:10.the surf board on the back of the combi van. In the Commonwealth small
:10:11. > :10:15.countries are able to compete at respected credible international
:10:16. > :10:18.level. There are 23 small states in the Commonwealth and may have
:10:19. > :10:23.limited training and coaching resources so competing at
:10:24. > :10:29.Commonwealth level really is an important afamation. We see Dame
:10:30. > :10:36.Jessica Ennis-Hill arriving with the Queen's baton. The global superstar,
:10:37. > :10:45.of course, world heptathlon champion and herself a participant in the
:10:46. > :10:49.Commonwealth Games and the Youth Games from 2004. The Commonwealth
:10:50. > :10:52.has an exceptionally young population, doesn't it, Sue, in a
:10:53. > :10:56.way it is not surprising that sport would be central to its identity?
:10:57. > :11:03.Well, sport helps young people connect with the Commonwealth in a
:11:04. > :11:07.unique way and wise Commonwealth heads have long realised this. As I
:11:08. > :11:10.said, it offers the point of team building. It supports peace
:11:11. > :11:15.building. All part of that bigger jigsaw of the Commonwealth's work
:11:16. > :11:25.and of course, there is also cricket which is such an enjoyable sport
:11:26. > :11:30.across the Commonwealth. And inpenetrable who anyone that's not a
:11:31. > :11:40.member of it. We can see the baton being held by Dame Jessica
:11:41. > :11:48.Ennis-Hill. The two of them are followed by a procession of
:11:49. > :11:58.Commonwealth athletes. Included in the group is the Australian track
:11:59. > :12:05.cyclist Anna Mears who shared a friendly rivalry with Victoria
:12:06. > :12:16.Pendleton and also is Kurt Fearnley who will be reading later on in the
:12:17. > :12:24.service. Cody Simpson is singing, who was at the age of 12 a gold
:12:25. > :12:58.medal swimmer. # I think to myself what a wonderful
:12:59. > :13:03.world. # We see the baton being placed on the
:13:04. > :13:06.High Altar by the Dean of Westminster. It will remain there
:13:07. > :13:10.for the duration of the service before it journeys across 70 nations
:13:11. > :13:21.on its way to the Gold Coast Games in Australia.
:13:22. > :13:36.# Saying how do you do. # But they're really saying I love
:13:37. > :13:49.you. # I hear babies cry.
:13:50. > :13:57.# They'll learn much more than I'll ever know.
:13:58. > :13:59.# And I think to myself what a wonderful day."
:14:00. > :14:01.There are many different facets of the Commonwealth reflected
:14:02. > :14:21.Geri Horner is in the congregation. Geri brought along her ten-year-old
:14:22. > :14:24.daughter, Bluebell. Geri tell us about your experiences of travelling
:14:25. > :14:29.to Commonwealth countries? Well, first of all, it's such a pleasure
:14:30. > :14:33.to be here and really celebrate each other and I think by having the
:14:34. > :14:39.opportunity to travel, which is a gift, you suddenly see the beauty in
:14:40. > :14:43.our differences, but we are alike as well. It is a wonderful thing to do.
:14:44. > :14:48.There is such a focus on the Commonwealth on gender parity as
:14:49. > :14:56.well and it's now more than two decades since the Spice Girls came
:14:57. > :15:00.to the mainstream and really brought feminism back into popularity. Does
:15:01. > :15:05.it surprise you that the fight for women's rights is so central at the
:15:06. > :15:14.moment, on centre stage geopolitically? If we look back to
:15:15. > :15:17.the suffragettes they had to really speak up and it is one of those
:15:18. > :15:21.things you have to keep reminding. Of course, we want to live in a
:15:22. > :15:25.society where everybody is equal, whatever gender you are, whatever
:15:26. > :15:29.colour you are, whatever sex you are and that's a beautiful place to live
:15:30. > :15:33.and I think, you know, it's about education really, isn't it?
:15:34. > :15:37.Sometimes we need reminding and educating and I think that comes
:15:38. > :15:38.with kindness and just encouragement, some people just need
:15:39. > :15:47.catching up, that's the way it is. There are more than 600 kids in the
:15:48. > :15:51.congregation today. What would your message be to them? If any young
:15:52. > :15:55.kids are watching now, you have the power to change the world. It starts
:15:56. > :15:59.with you, your imagination and wonder and you have the power to do
:16:00. > :16:05.it, just through reading and positivity. It can happen. I think
:16:06. > :16:11.so. Geri Horner and Bluebell thank you. Thank you, it's lovely to be
:16:12. > :16:16.here. Sonali, thank you. We are looking now at the 52 flags from the
:16:17. > :16:20.52 nations of the Commonwealth as they process through the Abbey,
:16:21. > :16:24.accompanied by music from the Commonwealth Resounds. The flags are
:16:25. > :16:28.carried in the order that the countries joined the Commonwealth,
:16:29. > :16:32.so the two you see at the back, Mozambique Andhra Wanda, the most
:16:33. > :16:37.recent countries -- Rwanda. They have no historical connection to the
:16:38. > :16:40.British Empire, interestingly. Dr Sue Onslow, that's fascinating. How
:16:41. > :16:46.is it that they come to be in the Commonwealth? It may seem strange
:16:47. > :16:49.but there is a logic. The Commonwealth supported Mozambique
:16:50. > :16:53.after its independence, it was a frontline state in the struggle
:16:54. > :16:58.against apartheid South Africa and it was thanks to Nelson Mandela that
:16:59. > :17:06.Mozambique came to join in the 1990s. Rwanda was encouraged by
:17:07. > :17:11.Uganda to join to support the progress Rwanda made since the
:17:12. > :17:16.catastrophe of the genocide in 1994. And how unusual is that for
:17:17. > :17:20.countries to join? Is it the case that there are countries leaving as
:17:21. > :17:24.well? Yes, but it's not a revolving door. The Commonwealth does have
:17:25. > :17:30.standards to which member countries are held. Those who transgress are
:17:31. > :17:35.monitored by a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. And
:17:36. > :17:40.countries like Fiji and Pakistan have left and then joined again. The
:17:41. > :17:45.Gambia is going to be encouraged to join again. And we can see before us
:17:46. > :17:52.the procession of the faith leaders. Faith Leaders Procession
:17:53. > :17:54.largest annual inter-faith Leading the Zoroastrian Community
:17:55. > :18:05.is Malcolm M Deboo. Representing the Baha'i Community
:18:06. > :18:08.is Patrick O'Mara. Representing Orthodox Judaism
:18:09. > :18:10.is Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis Representing the Jain Community
:18:11. > :18:13.is Dr Natubhai Shah. Representing the Sunni Islam
:18:14. > :18:15.Community is Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra. Representing Liberal Judaism
:18:16. > :18:18.is Rabbi Rebeccas Birk Representing the Buddhist Community
:18:19. > :18:20.is the Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala. Representing the Jewish
:18:21. > :18:21.Reform Synagogues is Representing the Shia Muslim
:18:22. > :18:28.Community is Moulana Razawi. Representing the Hindu
:18:29. > :18:31.Community is Trupti Patel. Representing the Sikh Community
:18:32. > :18:34.is Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE. Then general comment
:18:35. > :18:54.on representatives of We heard earlier from Baroness
:18:55. > :18:57.Scotland. She's a truss tie of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee
:18:58. > :19:03.Trust. It was established in 2012 to support those in need across the
:19:04. > :19:09.Commonwealth. Once of its principal aims is to eliminate avoidable
:19:10. > :19:12.blindness. We spoke to the Countess of Wessex to hear about the impact
:19:13. > :19:18.this has had across the Commonwealth.
:19:19. > :19:25.80% of the world's blind populations are living in Commonwealth
:19:26. > :19:34.countries. The work of the Trust is profound. The goal is to eliminate
:19:35. > :19:39.avoidable blindness. The dracoma initiative in Malawi has been having
:19:40. > :19:46.unbelievable success rates. Dracoma is a bacteria which gets into the
:19:47. > :19:54.eye, it's a horrible condition. It affects people of all ages. You
:19:55. > :20:00.normally find it in rural areas. When it's not treated, the eye lid
:20:01. > :20:05.is infected, which in the process turns the eye inside and the eye
:20:06. > :20:09.lashes start to touch the eye ball leading to blindness. Maria's lived
:20:10. > :20:15.with this condition for ten years which is quite a long time of pain,
:20:16. > :20:20.a long time of not being able to provide for her household. She can't
:20:21. > :20:29.even go and fetch water. The good thing is that she'll be able to get
:20:30. > :20:34.surgery. Maria has been using a razor blade to cut the eye lashes
:20:35. > :20:39.that have been disturbing her eyes. There were moments when she said,
:20:40. > :20:43.I'd rather die than live with this pain. The surgery that can be
:20:44. > :20:48.performed is very simple because they cut the eye lid and turn the
:20:49. > :20:52.eye lid back out again so that it cannot turn inwards. It's very
:20:53. > :20:56.effective, very low-cost treatment. There have been more surgeons
:20:57. > :21:01.trained into how to do the basic surgery. Many millions have received
:21:02. > :21:06.antibiotics and there's been a huge awareness campaign. My fellow
:21:07. > :21:15.students, ladies and gentlemen, we...
:21:16. > :21:24.By teaching the young ones how to prevent Trachoma, this is one of the
:21:25. > :21:28.better ways of preventing it. We have been working with a number of
:21:29. > :21:34.people guided by the Minister of Health. We are on the brink of
:21:35. > :21:38.eliminating Trachoma which is a major milestone for the country. I'm
:21:39. > :21:42.thrilled to be able to be travelling to Malawi very soon to be able to
:21:43. > :21:45.see first hand the work that thief been carrying out and I'm looking
:21:46. > :21:48.forward to saying thank you to the people that have been involved with
:21:49. > :22:01.it because they worked extremely hard.
:22:02. > :22:07.And Maria's surgery went well, the sutures are looking good and they
:22:08. > :22:09.expect her to make a full recovery. She's very happy and relieved to no
:22:10. > :22:28.longer be in pain. The Earl of Wessex, Prince Andrew
:22:29. > :22:38.and Prince Harry all coming in and shaking hands with people in the
:22:39. > :22:47.receiving line. All of them are active participants in the life of
:22:48. > :22:51.the Commonwealth. Prince Harry, of course, visited seven Commonwealth
:22:52. > :22:57.countries of the Caribbean in November last year, representing the
:22:58. > :23:01.Queen, his grandmother. The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, who you can
:23:02. > :23:05.see, a little behind him, behind the Dean of Westminster. He's the grand
:23:06. > :23:09.President of the Royal Commonwealth ex-services league and the Earl of
:23:10. > :23:15.Wessex, Prince Edward, behind him, is the vice patron of the
:23:16. > :23:21.Commonwealth Games federation. Of course, his wife, the Countess of
:23:22. > :23:30.Wessex is not here because she's on her way to Malawi as patron of the
:23:31. > :23:35.Avoidable Blindness Association. Prince Harry there shaking hands
:23:36. > :23:42.with the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat. He is the chair in
:23:43. > :23:44.office, with Malta having hosted the Commonwealth heads of Government
:23:45. > :23:53.meeting in Malta. Lord Howell of Guildford and
:23:54. > :24:11.Achaleke Christian Lek. Going back to Prince Harry's tour
:24:12. > :24:18.last year of the Caribbean, he went to several countries, including
:24:19. > :24:21.Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia and Barbados. He unveiled four
:24:22. > :24:26.dedications to the Queen's Commonwealth canopy, which is a
:24:27. > :24:33.global forestry project to preserve forest land for future generations.
:24:34. > :24:37.He visited social projects like the nature fun ranch which allows people
:24:38. > :24:47.to speak freely about important topics, including HIV AIDS. In
:24:48. > :24:49.Barbados, he took an HIV test with the international star Rihanna,
:24:50. > :25:05.encouraging others to get themselves tested.
:25:06. > :25:11.Sue Onslow, watching these younger members of the Royal Family here
:25:12. > :25:16.today, it shows how important the Commonwealth is to them? It does
:25:17. > :25:20.indeed. The Queen has imBewled her love and devotion to the
:25:21. > :25:25.Commonwealth among the younger mens of her family. -- members of her
:25:26. > :25:30.family. She regards the Commonwealth as her life's work, she's exited
:25:31. > :25:35.herself to it since 1952 and she really has been the invisible blue.
:25:36. > :25:39.It's her version of identity politics which is inclusive rather
:25:40. > :25:59.than exclusive. She takes it seriously and has passed this on.
:26:00. > :26:05.Here is the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of
:26:06. > :26:16.Cornwall. The Prince of Wales has been a proud
:26:17. > :26:31.supporter. The Duchess has accompanied him on every trip.
:26:32. > :26:36.Sue, as we await the imminent arrival of the Queen, let's take a
:26:37. > :26:43.moment to talk about the importance of her role as head of the
:26:44. > :26:47.Commonwealth. The Queen has given the Commonwealth visibility, wisdom,
:26:48. > :26:50.practical advice and support to help it smooth through the inevitable
:26:51. > :26:55.rifts and political fights that have gone on within the family, such as
:26:56. > :27:02.over apartheid South Africa, and she's conI believe the yewed
:27:03. > :27:09.enormously to -- contributed to its cohesion and modernity. She's been a
:27:10. > :27:13.unique, much-loved head. It's worth mentioning that, although the role
:27:14. > :27:17.passed to Her Majesty the Queen from her father, the role of head of the
:27:18. > :27:21.Commonwealth, it's not a role that will necessarily pass to Charles
:27:22. > :27:24.when he becomes King? You are right, it's not a given that
:27:25. > :27:28.Prince Charles will automatically take over as head of the
:27:29. > :27:33.Commonwealth, although much of his life's work chimes in very much with
:27:34. > :27:38.the modern Commonwealth's values and areas of activities. His work as
:27:39. > :27:44.part of the Prince's Trust, his work on the environment and climate
:27:45. > :27:46.change, all of these chime in with the Commonwealth's forward-looking
:27:47. > :27:53.approach to the aspects of this which touch so many people's lives.
:27:54. > :28:01.There's Prince Charles speaking to the wife of Joseph Muscat, the Prime
:28:02. > :28:10.Minister of Malta. And it's obvious isn't it Sue that
:28:11. > :28:14.the Royal Family have a real affection for the Commonwealth? They
:28:15. > :28:18.do. It's added great pleasure, great interest, the opportunity to travel
:28:19. > :28:26.and to meet so many different communities and nations across the
:28:27. > :28:27.globe. It's really helped to balance the constraints of being
:28:28. > :28:42.constitutional-month-old -- constitutional Monarch. We can
:28:43. > :28:45.see people in the congregation as we await the arrival of the Queen.
:28:46. > :28:53.There is the Prime Minister, Theresa May. She will host the next
:28:54. > :28:57.Commonwealth heads of Government meeting or CHOGM as it's known next
:28:58. > :29:03.year in the UK. She'll take over as chair in office in the Commonwealth.
:29:04. > :29:07.Another famous face in the audience, that of the singer Annie Lennox who
:29:08. > :29:11.addressed the congregation at the service in 2011. She's a spokeswoman
:29:12. > :29:32.and advocate for HIV related causes. Sir John Major, the former British
:29:33. > :29:35.Prime Minister who had a key role to play in the Commonwealth under
:29:36. > :29:41.Margaret Thatcher during the period of apartheid in South Africa during
:29:42. > :29:43.the late 1980s. And Sue, he is somebody who retains a great
:29:44. > :29:50.affection for the Commonwealth isn't he? Very much so. John Major was
:29:51. > :29:53.himself a consensus politician when he took over as British Prime
:29:54. > :29:56.Minister. There was a collective breathing out among some
:29:57. > :30:01.Commonwealth heads that Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was no
:30:02. > :30:06.longer there because she was a divisive and controversial figure.
:30:07. > :30:09.But Sir John Major's worked towards building Commonwealth activities.
:30:10. > :30:17.He's of course himself a passionate follower of cricket. But he
:30:18. > :30:19.supported helping debt forgiveness which was of serious practical value
:30:20. > :30:36.to Commonwealth countries. We can see others. And now we see
:30:37. > :30:41.the arrival of the car with Her Majesty the Queen. She is
:30:42. > :30:42.accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh arriving in the sanctuary of
:30:43. > :32:05.Westminster Abbey. The Queen is being introduced to
:32:06. > :32:11.members of the clergy here at Westminster Abbey. The Dean of
:32:12. > :32:26.Westminster Abbey, John Hall is at her side.
:32:27. > :32:31.Dr Sue Onslow it is a fact, isn't it, that the life of the
:32:32. > :32:35.Commonwealth almost exactly mirrors that of the reign of Queen
:32:36. > :32:40.Elizabeth, so maybe it is no great surprise that it means so much to
:32:41. > :32:44.her? The modern Commonwealth came into existence in 1949, but the
:32:45. > :32:48.Queen had already made her vow to dedicate her life to it in 1947, but
:32:49. > :32:54.yes, the Commonwealth has changed and grown with Her Majesty the
:32:55. > :32:57.Queen. She, of course, is separate in her ceremonial role as Head of
:32:58. > :33:12.the Commonwealth. # Meet for him whose
:33:13. > :35:29.love espoused thee # All thy streets
:35:30. > :35:38.and all thy bulwarks # Bright thy gates
:35:39. > :35:52.of pearl are shining # Who for Christ's dear
:35:53. > :38:41.Name in this world On behalf of the Dean and Chapter I
:38:42. > :38:44.warmly welcome you to Westminster Abbey for our annual celebration of
:38:45. > :38:49.the Commonwealth in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen whose role as
:38:50. > :38:56.Head of the Commonwealth binds us together in peace. We celebrate this
:38:57. > :39:02.year, the Commonwealth as a builder of peace. As we give thanks for the
:39:03. > :39:09.diversity of faiths, of resources and circumstances in our countries,
:39:10. > :39:14.we must pray that we maybe united in peace and friendship and together
:39:15. > :39:22.promote peace in our divided world. So let us pray in the words of Jesus
:39:23. > :39:35.for the coming of God's Kingdom of justice, and peace.
:39:36. > :39:37.ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
:39:38. > :39:41.thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
:39:42. > :39:44.And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
:39:45. > :39:48.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
:39:49. > :39:52.For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
:39:53. > :40:00.And now an a capella performance from Canadian Soprano
:40:01. > :41:33.# I looked over Jordan, what do I see
:41:34. > :42:41.# We shall overcome. # We shall overcome.
:42:42. > :42:55.# Deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome one day. . .
:42:56. > :43:10.# If you get there before I do, coming for to carry me home.
:43:11. > :43:23.# Tell all my friends I'm coming home too.
:43:24. > :43:30.# Come for to carry me home. # We'll walk hand-in-hand.
:43:31. > :44:11.We'll walk hand-in-hand. # We'll walk hand-in-hand one day.
:44:12. > :44:32.# One day in my heart I do believe we'll walk hand-in-hand one day.
:44:33. > :44:37.And now a reflection from an extraordinary
:44:38. > :44:55.young peace advocate, Achaleke Christian Leke.
:44:56. > :45:04.This reading is personal to me. I've been a victim of radicalisation.
:45:05. > :45:12.Growing up in a community, in the Republic of Cameroon, which was
:45:13. > :45:18.plagued by real violence, insecurity. I told myself that my
:45:19. > :45:27.future would never be shared by these atrocities. My journey for
:45:28. > :45:31.peace began in Cameroon, a youth-led civil society organisation there.
:45:32. > :45:35.Since then I've become an ambassador of change, a peace hero that's
:45:36. > :45:41.determined to risk his life for peace if that is what it takes. I
:45:42. > :45:52.believe that peace is not the absence of war, but something that
:45:53. > :46:01.we need in our hearts. Diversity is in the DNA of the Commonwealth.
:46:02. > :46:06.Peace runs in its veins. Despite our religion, cultural, age, colour,
:46:07. > :46:16.class or gender - there are many of us risking our lives to bring about
:46:17. > :46:23.peace and make a change. Looking back to Gandhi, Mandela and Bob
:46:24. > :46:30.Marley, we remain inspired by those people and stand strong against any
:46:31. > :46:38.form of violence. It takes each of us and the tools we have at our
:46:39. > :46:43.disposal, using our voice, sports, arts, story-telling and music. We
:46:44. > :46:50.can promote peace. Investing in young people and ensuring the role
:46:51. > :46:56.of our youth is just as important. To achieve peace, we must educate
:46:57. > :47:02.our peers to understand that, despite our race, religion or
:47:03. > :47:09.culture, we are equal. Be you a man or woman, young or old, poor or
:47:10. > :47:19.rich, we are all equal. We are one people. Together, let us stand for
:47:20. > :47:24.love, tolerance, justice and peace. Today, I am using my experience to
:47:25. > :47:29.provide innovative solutions to violence, using my transformation to
:47:30. > :47:36.connect and transform young people. My team and I work with young people
:47:37. > :47:42.on the streets, correction centres, prisons, schools and communities,
:47:43. > :47:48.building their skills and asking them to open their eyes against
:47:49. > :47:52.violence and calling upon our Government to provide solutions.
:47:53. > :47:57.Using violence to fight violence as a means of peace-building is not the
:47:58. > :48:04.best practice. I am glad to see the civil part to peace gaining grounds.
:48:05. > :48:11.Across the Commonwealth, we have evidence of young people, many
:48:12. > :48:19.unpraised and unheard of, working daily and tirelessly to promote
:48:20. > :48:23.peace. Today, I see a new generation of young change-makers, united on
:48:24. > :48:28.the one front. We preach Gandhi's philosophy. He said, nonviolence is
:48:29. > :48:33.the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It's mightier than the
:48:34. > :48:38.mitiest weapon of destruction, devised by the ingenuity of man.
:48:39. > :48:44.Young people cannot do this alone. We must partner with our Governments
:48:45. > :48:50.to uphold human rights, democracy and good governance. I stand here to
:48:51. > :48:54.call on our Governments to support and take new partnerships seriously,
:48:55. > :49:00.Fortis the only solution to end the cycle of violence. I am excited by
:49:01. > :49:06.the presence of young people here today. -- for It is. Young people
:49:07. > :49:14.who have their futures before them. I have this message for you - I have
:49:15. > :49:20.seen the violence even in the UK and I have tasted the honey of peace. I
:49:21. > :49:26.am convinced peace is the only way to achieve sustainable development.
:49:27. > :49:31.Peace is possible. I have made peace my personal business. Will you?
:49:32. > :49:37.Together, we can make a difference. Join me on this juernny of change --
:49:38. > :49:40.journey of change. The path may be difficult and dangerous, but
:49:41. > :49:44.together we'll make the world a better and more peaceful place.
:49:45. > :49:56.Thank you very much. APPLAUSE.
:49:57. > :49:59.The Choir will now sing O Hearken, a piece composed by Roxanna Panufnik
:50:00. > :50:23.whose son is singing in the choir today.
:50:24. > :52:01.ANTHEM: O Hearken composed by Roxanna Panufnik.
:52:02. > :52:03.The Maltese poet Immanuel Mifsud will now
:52:04. > :52:08.read his own poem entitled 'The Book.'
:52:09. > :52:11.Tomorrow open the old book your mother gave you.
:52:12. > :52:15.Mind, open it carefully; from between pages a dawn
:52:16. > :52:20.will emerge, unlike any you've ever seen.
:52:21. > :52:26.Once the sun's risen, get up, walk about that
:52:27. > :52:37.You'll find between pages hills to climb, rivers to forge.
:52:38. > :52:40.And gather a fistful of red, red soil.
:52:41. > :52:47.Halfway through the book you'll meet the sea.
:52:48. > :52:57.There is land still; look, there on the page you'll be turning
:52:58. > :53:09.And I will be there on the edge of the rocks, waiting with bread
:53:10. > :53:13.and water; waiting to welcome you, embrace, hold your hand.
:53:14. > :53:19.We shall walk; tell each other stories, stories collected
:53:20. > :53:31.The next page on, when we get to my home, we spread out that
:53:32. > :53:42.precious red fistful of soil; place within it a seed, gently water it.
:53:43. > :53:53.Turn the page: we look at the moon and wait.
:53:54. > :53:57.And just as we are closing the book, a tree springs to life,
:53:58. > :54:02.firm and verdant from the seed, from the soil, flourishing
:54:03. > :54:21.between pages, pages of the old book that our mother gave us.
:54:22. > :54:35.Kurt Fearnley will now read verses 4-9 of the Philippians.
:54:36. > :54:38.Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
:54:39. > :54:41.Let your gentleness be known to everyone.
:54:42. > :54:46.Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer
:54:47. > :54:50.and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
:54:51. > :54:57.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
:54:58. > :55:02.will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
:55:03. > :55:08.Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable,
:55:09. > :55:15.whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
:55:16. > :55:18.whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence
:55:19. > :55:23.and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
:55:24. > :55:29.Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received
:55:30. > :55:32.and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace
:55:33. > :59:38.We'll hear now from Courtenay Cleary of Australia who'll play Bach.
:59:39. > :59:54.Prime Minister Muscat, Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth,
:59:55. > :59:56.will now give his reflection, read by the The Honourable Dr Joseph
:59:57. > :00:00.Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta at theGreat Pulpit.
:00:01. > :00:07.It is imperative that we remember that peace and reconciliation are
:00:08. > :00:14.objectively possible. They can be achieved. Of course, they must not
:00:15. > :00:20.be understood as goals that can be achieved once and for all.
:00:21. > :00:27.Everywhere and at the same time. The long way to peace and reconciliation
:00:28. > :00:35.is tortuous and difficult and is never over. The world today is
:00:36. > :00:41.characterised by a number of fault lines between and within States.
:00:42. > :00:47.Tensions along some of these fault lines have reached critical levels.
:00:48. > :00:54.Instability has become the norm and uncertainty is the rule of the game.
:00:55. > :01:06.More over, two factors are contributing to making this a very
:01:07. > :01:11.dangerous world indeed. On one hand, terrorism embedded in religious
:01:12. > :01:14.belief. On the other hand, the emergence of an intolerant populism
:01:15. > :01:23.that feeds on the lack of knowledge and on racism. Both of them shun
:01:24. > :01:35.reason, promote fanaticism and actively commit or indirectly
:01:36. > :01:41.inincite violence. Both of these are models that have patently failed
:01:42. > :01:46.inasmuch as they are insufficiently inconclusive and inclusive. Both of
:01:47. > :01:52.them subscribe to a vision of history as an inevitable clash of at
:01:53. > :02:01.least two incompatible civilisations. Both of them feed on
:02:02. > :02:06.fear, of hate, of diversity. What can and what should the Commonwealth
:02:07. > :02:10.realistically do in these difficult circumstances? One answer lies in
:02:11. > :02:18.the uniqueness of the enduring bond that brought us here today.
:02:19. > :02:24.Uniqueness that is not easy to explain. Although we can boast the
:02:25. > :02:31.combined population of 2.4 billion. Although we represent 52 nation
:02:32. > :02:35.States, our real stint lies elsewhere. It lies in the intensity
:02:36. > :02:46.of our relationship throughout our modern history. A relationship that
:02:47. > :02:52.has been by no means - indeed, the history of this relationship has
:02:53. > :03:00.known joy, pride and communion. But also blood, sweat and tears.
:03:01. > :03:04.Whilst we have all emerged with the keener sense of our historical
:03:05. > :03:10.national identities, and the greater respect of each other's national
:03:11. > :03:19.identity, we have also grown more wary of cynical attempts to appeal
:03:20. > :03:31.to history to justify aggressive. It is an attempt to troll through the
:03:32. > :03:38.past for moral justification. It is a case when the past is but the
:03:39. > :03:44.sinners of the present. This relationship has taught us that
:03:45. > :03:51.beyond the national interests and in spite of the pain and sometimes
:03:52. > :03:59.bitterness that some experienced, there is a value in our peace and
:04:00. > :04:06.reconciliation. Has it gone all the way? No, it has not. . It will only
:04:07. > :04:17.have gone all the way when in each of our countries the value of the
:04:18. > :04:22.individual dignity regardless of nationality ethnicity, social class
:04:23. > :04:29.and opinion will truly be upheld and guaranteed. I want to single out the
:04:30. > :04:44.respect for LGBT persons. The lack of it. The remarkable number of our
:04:45. > :04:49.countries is arguably a considerable blot. I have had conversations and I
:04:50. > :04:53.am aware there are leaders who know that things must change, but are
:04:54. > :05:00.wary of how society would react to their first move. To them, I said
:05:01. > :05:07.and I say, that the Commonwealth will be with them to help them make
:05:08. > :05:13.the first bold steps. History, I am sure, will judge them positively
:05:14. > :05:18.when they do so. A powerful contribution to peace and
:05:19. > :05:23.reconciliation begins from the microdimension of the world. Global
:05:24. > :05:30.and international relations are of course important and so are burning
:05:31. > :05:35.national political issues, but the individuals immediate social
:05:36. > :05:40.habitat, the home, is fundamental. There is a view delusional in my
:05:41. > :05:48.opinion, amongst many throughout the world to imagine that social
:05:49. > :05:52.progress is essentially a top down process in which politician and
:05:53. > :05:59.technocrats engineer microchange and the positive outcome for this change
:06:00. > :06:05.at the top simply percolates down by some sort of social force of
:06:06. > :06:09.gravity. This is the sort of view that generates social exclusion. It
:06:10. > :06:16.is the sort of view that justifies perception of the world, that are
:06:17. > :06:28.effectively captured by well-known verses. Things fall apart. The
:06:29. > :06:33.centre cannot hold. It is significant that the great
:06:34. > :06:40.Commonwealth author chose to borrow a phrase from these verses as a
:06:41. > :06:47.title for his classic 1958 novel Things Fall Apart. There can be no
:06:48. > :06:51.solid and lasting international and national peace and reconciliation
:06:52. > :06:57.unless it is built on the consciousness of millions of
:06:58. > :07:02.individuals who value their own individual dignity, whose homes
:07:03. > :07:08.enjoy the domestic peace based on equality and mutual respect of
:07:09. > :07:12.genders and is free of domestic violence where women and children
:07:13. > :07:19.are most of the time the main victims. Individuals who do not
:07:20. > :07:26.value their own individual dignity, do not value the dignity of others.
:07:27. > :07:30.Those who do not uphold these values tend to fuse into multitudes that
:07:31. > :07:36.make up the base of extremist movements. These short reflections
:07:37. > :07:40.would be incomplete without observing that in the treasure
:07:41. > :07:48.throve of the wealth of our common experience together we also find
:07:49. > :07:57.such noble qualities, a strength in the face of adversity and indeed,
:07:58. > :08:03.great generosity. Certainly, the enthusism with which our mother
:08:04. > :08:08.lands came together to resist the barbaric threat to civilisation
:08:09. > :08:14.during the Second World War is a magnificent example of the ultimate
:08:15. > :08:20.generosity and solidarity. Allow me to seize this opportunity to express
:08:21. > :08:25.Malta's great pride in people's contribution to this effort. A
:08:26. > :08:31.contribution we paid for dearly with blood and suffering, as many others
:08:32. > :08:36.did. There is no scarcity of opportunity today for the world to
:08:37. > :08:43.concretely show its appreciation of those who strive to survive in the
:08:44. > :08:51.face of great adversity and to show concrete solidarity with them.
:08:52. > :08:54.Conflict and economic failure are generating migration flows of
:08:55. > :08:58.biblical proportions, with untold suffering for thousands. Many of
:08:59. > :09:07.whom lose their lives in the process. We are in times of trouble.
:09:08. > :09:15.Hours of darkness may confront us at any time. But lest we misunderstand
:09:16. > :09:22.the words of wisdom of a song most of us can at least hum, our response
:09:23. > :09:28.cannot simply be whispered as let it be. Our modders and fathers didn't.
:09:29. > :09:29.Thank you. -- mothers and fathers didn't. Thank
:09:30. > :09:40.you. British Ugandan George
:09:41. > :09:48.the Poet performs a cover SONG: My Love Is Your Love
:09:49. > :10:08.by George The Poet. # A waste is something
:10:09. > :10:12.I was never sent to be # The future holds days that
:10:13. > :10:14.I was never meant to see # What I'm trying to say
:10:15. > :10:17.is I'll be dead eventually # And memories will be
:10:18. > :10:19.the only evidence of me # That makes you everyone
:10:20. > :10:22.else's best attempt to see # Exactly who I was,
:10:23. > :10:25.that means you're testament to me # You might not have the same
:10:26. > :10:28.features or complexion as me # But you are by far
:10:29. > :10:36.the best reflection of me # Funny how we are joking
:10:37. > :10:50.when everyone else is stuck up # You're behind every ounce
:10:51. > :10:56.of courage I can pluck up # You know me when I'm "that guy",
:10:57. > :11:00.love me when I'm bruck up # Help me when I'm racking my brains
:11:01. > :11:03.trying to get my luck up # I need you, I could never
:11:04. > :11:06.decide to go and move # And if you feel the same then it's
:11:07. > :11:09.time to show and prove, cos # Your love is my love
:11:10. > :11:12.and my love is your love # It would take an
:11:13. > :11:15.eternity to break us # And the chains of Amos
:11:16. > :11:17.Yas couldn't hold us # Your love is my love
:11:18. > :11:20.and my love is your love # It would take an
:11:21. > :11:24.eternity to break us # And the chains of Amos Yas
:11:25. > :11:26.couldn't hold us # Whether it's making money
:11:27. > :11:29.or spitting fire in the booth # My number one goal
:11:30. > :11:31.is inspiring the youth # Please don't let this
:11:32. > :11:33.world make you cold # I didn't make it but
:11:34. > :11:41.I can make it better # How does a legacy last
:11:42. > :11:43.after they forget us? # Just make sure your love
:11:44. > :11:46.is the greatest ever # The rain germinates the seed
:11:47. > :11:49.then the sun comes out # And in turn it
:11:50. > :11:52.makes the leaves grow # But it's the gardener's job
:11:53. > :11:54.to terminate the weeds though # Everything will be
:11:55. > :11:57.fine just breathe slow # You give me the strength
:11:58. > :11:59.to reject the things # Put me on such a high
:12:00. > :12:03.it's close to divine # So whenever I'm with
:12:04. > :12:05.you I find myself smiling # For no particular
:12:06. > :12:16.reason most of the time # Cos whenever I'm with
:12:17. > :12:19.you I find myself smiling # For no particular
:12:20. > :12:22.reason most of the time # You put me on such a high
:12:23. > :12:25.it's close to divine # Your love is my love
:12:26. > :12:30.and my love is your love # It would take an
:12:31. > :12:32.eternity to break us # And the chains of Amos
:12:33. > :12:35.Yas couldn't hold us # Your love is my love
:12:36. > :12:38.and my love is your love # It would take an
:12:39. > :12:51.eternity to break us # Your everyone else's best attempt
:12:52. > :12:57.to see. # You might not have the same
:12:58. > :13:01.features or complexion of me. # But you are the best reflection of
:13:02. > :13:05.me. # Thank you.
:13:06. > :13:23.And now the congregation will sing Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.
:13:24. > :13:25.HYMN: "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind".
:13:26. > :14:07.# In simple trust like theirs who heard
:14:08. > :16:26.He who devotes himself to this practice of meditation upon peace
:16:27. > :16:32.sleeps happily, wakes happily, is calm in the senses, calm in the
:16:33. > :16:42.mind, has a strong faith, is noble in intention. He is reveered by his
:16:43. > :16:47.fellow beings. If he fails to have enlightenment in the present life,
:16:48. > :16:55.he's bound for happiness in the future.
:16:56. > :17:00.God of all creation, we stand in awe before you, impelled
:17:01. > :17:07.We are children of many traditions-inheritors of shared
:17:08. > :17:17.In that which we share, let us see the common prayer
:17:18. > :17:23.of humanity; where we differ, let us wonder at human freedom;
:17:24. > :17:29.in our unity and our differences, let us know the uniqueness
:17:30. > :17:36.May our courage match our convictions and our
:17:37. > :17:57.Om, let us both protect each other together.
:17:58. > :18:03.May both of us put our energies together.
:18:04. > :18:05.May our studies be radiantly glorious.
:18:06. > :18:12.May peace radiate there in the whole sky, as well as in the vast
:18:13. > :18:34.O Lord, save our world on fire with conflict and strife.
:18:35. > :18:38.Let the healing kindness of your blessings save us,
:18:39. > :18:46.Says Nanak, the path of peace lies in living true
:18:47. > :19:00.Lord most high, we turn to you, beseeching you through your mercy
:19:01. > :19:04.which encompasses all of creation, your light which revives
:19:05. > :19:08.all hearts, and your love which provides us hope.
:19:09. > :19:15.Make firm our unity as we stand together and amend our shortcomings
:19:16. > :19:18.that we may be steadfast in what is to come.O
:19:19. > :19:22.he who is tranquil, place in our hearts tranquility,
:19:23. > :19:26.and in our actions, wisdom.O sustainer of the heavens
:19:27. > :19:30.and of the earth, strengthen through your grace our common wealth
:19:31. > :19:33.and clothe us in your virtues that we may be an example
:19:34. > :19:35.of benevolence to one another, in your name, most glorified.
:19:36. > :19:45.O almighty God, you have called us to faith and life,
:19:46. > :19:50.and encourage us with such a great cloud of witnesses.
:19:51. > :19:55.Grant that we, strengthened by the example of your saints,
:19:56. > :20:01.may persevere in running the race that is set before us,
:20:02. > :20:04.until at length we may receive with them the fullness
:20:05. > :20:09.of your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
:20:10. > :20:18.The next Anthem will be familiar to many of us as it was played
:20:19. > :20:22.at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,
:20:23. > :21:29.# We will go into the house of the Lord
:21:30. > :22:35.# For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord
:22:36. > :22:51.# To give thanks unto the Name of the Lord
:22:52. > :23:41.# Even the seat of the house of David
:23:42. > :24:31.# And plenteousness within thy palaces
:24:32. > :24:48.# And plenteousness within thy palaces
:24:49. > :25:45.# For my brethren and companions' sakes
:25:46. > :25:53.Eus now stand to pledge ourselves afresh to uphold and serve the
:25:54. > :25:56.values and fellowship of the Commonwealth.
:25:57. > :26:03.We affirm our respect for nature, and that we will be stewards
:26:04. > :26:12.of the earth by caring for every part of it, and for it as a whole.
:26:13. > :26:21.We affirm our belief in justice for everyone, and peace
:26:22. > :26:29.Joining together in kinship and affinity we celebrate
:26:30. > :26:34.all that we receive and are able to share with one another
:26:35. > :26:39.as members of the worldwide Commonwealth family,
:26:40. > :26:44.delivering social progress, advancing democracy,
:26:45. > :26:51.and building economic resilience with prosperity in
:26:52. > :26:59.We cherish the spirit of respect and understanding that inspires us
:27:00. > :27:06.as 'A Peacebuilding Commonwealth' to work for the eradication
:27:07. > :27:09.of all forms of violence from homes and communities,
:27:10. > :27:14.and with goodwill and cordiality for the comity of nations.
:27:15. > :27:21.We stand in solidarity alongside the vulnerable and marginalised,
:27:22. > :27:26.and all who live in fear of discrimination or oppression,
:27:27. > :27:36.pledging to uphold their rights to justice and dignity.
:27:37. > :27:39.ALL: We affirm our belief in the Commonwealth as a force
:27:40. > :27:43.for good in the world, and pledge ourselves to its service,
:27:44. > :28:00.And now for the final hymn, Crown Him With Many Crowns.
:28:01. > :28:12.# Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne
:28:13. > :28:19.# Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own
:28:20. > :28:26.# Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee
:28:27. > :28:31.# And hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity #.
:28:32. > :29:02.# Rich wounds yet visible above in beauty glorified
:29:03. > :29:12.# No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight
:29:13. > :29:25.# But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright #.
:29:26. > :29:36.# Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a sceptre sways
:29:37. > :29:42.# From pole to pole, that wars may cease
:29:43. > :30:01.# And round his pierced feet fair flowers of paradise
:30:02. > :30:09.# Extend their fragrance ever sweet #.
:30:10. > :30:20.# Crown him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
:30:21. > :30:31.# Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime
:30:32. > :30:36.# Glassed in a sea of light, where everlasting waves
:30:37. > :31:06.Into God's gracious mercy and protection we commit you.
:31:07. > :31:11.The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine
:31:12. > :31:17.The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you,
:31:18. > :31:21.and give you peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father,
:31:22. > :31:26.the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain
:31:27. > :31:55.And that marks the end of the service.
:31:56. > :32:04.We are starting to see the young members of the choir and members of
:32:05. > :32:12.the clergy process towards the exit of the Great West Door. The young
:32:13. > :32:15.members of the choir attend the Abbey's residential choir school,
:32:16. > :32:19.although they are involved in many of the Abbey's services, there were
:32:20. > :32:21.eight boys singing for the Queen in the contest of the Commonwealth
:32:22. > :32:35.service for the first time today. Sue Onslow, your reflections? That
:32:36. > :32:38.service was a unique combination. It acknowledged other faiths, the
:32:39. > :32:41.emphasis on shared spiritual values. For that, we have to thank Her
:32:42. > :32:47.Majesty the Queen as head of the Commonwealth. It's been held in this
:32:48. > :32:52.sacred space at Westminster Abbey since 1973 and it's highly unusual
:32:53. > :32:58.and even more valid today if days of division and conflict. There was
:32:59. > :33:06.such a variety of faiths of course, but also of performance? I was very
:33:07. > :33:10.struck by the multiple themes and motives of peace coming through this
:33:11. > :33:17.service, the unity of the colours of the Commonwealth flags, the flowers,
:33:18. > :33:21.the flags themselves, Measha Brueggergosman's triumphant singing
:33:22. > :33:26.of old songs of the oppressed in that vibrant sea of today and
:33:27. > :33:29.freedom. Joseph Muscat's message that peace-building in all forms
:33:30. > :33:33.needs commitment and hard work, it's a work in progress. I was watching
:33:34. > :33:37.particularly the faces of the young people the way that they reacted to
:33:38. > :33:42.Achaleke Christian Lek and George the Poet. They really did engage
:33:43. > :33:43.with that fusion of personal experience, as well as poetry and
:33:44. > :34:02.music. The Queen, we shouldn't forget is
:34:03. > :34:05.not just of course our Queen, she's also Queen to 15 other Commonwealth
:34:06. > :34:08.nations. That's important to her and important to them. Yes. We Brits
:34:09. > :34:16.have to remember that we share our Queen. She's indeed Queen of 16
:34:17. > :34:21.Commonwealth realms, as well as that separate role that she has add head
:34:22. > :34:26.of the Modern Commonwealth. In travelling, as she has done across
:34:27. > :34:30.the modern Commonwealth, since 1952 and the pleasure she's drawn from
:34:31. > :34:34.meeting so many people, the diversity of experience that she's
:34:35. > :34:39.been able to enjoy, and I have to say, it's the pleasure of meeting
:34:40. > :34:42.the Queen that's been very evidently mutual, that part of the Queen's
:34:43. > :34:48.role is to endorse and encourage the work of those who don't normally get
:34:49. > :34:52.noticed, and she does it with great skill, great charisma and great
:34:53. > :34:58.grace. She has visited 50 of the 52
:34:59. > :35:03.Commonwealth countries, and Prince Philip has accompanied the Queen on
:35:04. > :35:08.tours and state visits. The first of her visits was the Coronation tour
:35:09. > :35:16.of the Commonwealth from November 1953 to May 1954. The couple
:35:17. > :35:18.visited, amongst other countries, Bermuda, Jamaica, Panama, Fiji,
:35:19. > :35:36.Uganda, Libya, Malta and Gibraltar. And Sue, the Queen does view her
:35:37. > :35:42.role as Head of the Commonwealth, as being very distinct from her role as
:35:43. > :35:46.Monarch of the UK? She does indeed. It is a separate originally symbolic
:35:47. > :35:49.but now ceremonial role that she brings to it. She now opens the
:35:50. > :35:55.Commonwealth heads of Government meeting. We saw the Mace in the
:35:56. > :36:00.service which is there when the Queen performs ceremonial roles. The
:36:01. > :36:02.Queen also holds audiences during Commonwealth heads of Government
:36:03. > :36:07.meeting where she individually meets leaders. She has a private lunch for
:36:08. > :36:16.new leaders and they value very much their chance to talk to her. And
:36:17. > :36:21.there we see the Queen greeting performers whose performances she
:36:22. > :36:24.clearly so enjoyed. Kohli Simpson there, the Australian singer, and
:36:25. > :36:29.therefore that, Achaleke Christian Lek who we heard from earlier --
:36:30. > :36:43.Cody Simpson. What an amazing young man Achaleke Christian Lek is.
:36:44. > :36:52.And here we see the Queen with the Maltese writer, Immanuel misif you
:36:53. > :36:58.had born in a post-independent Malta. He's given voice to the
:36:59. > :37:03.country's growing identity. There speaking to Kurt Fearnley who we
:37:04. > :37:10.heard giving a reading earlier. Kurt won Commonwealth silver in 2014 and
:37:11. > :37:18.Commonwealth gold in 2010. There shaking hands with Courtenay Cleary,
:37:19. > :37:30.the violinist. And with George the Poet. The British Ugandan singer,
:37:31. > :37:32.poet. He gave a captive ating performance of Your Love can
:37:33. > :37:47.Subpoena my Love -- captive ating. Sue, there is been a great emphasis
:37:48. > :37:50.on young people and youth in today's service, but we should remember that
:37:51. > :37:53.the Commonwealth charter includes a statement about a commitment to
:37:54. > :37:58.gender equality. What does the Commonwealth do for women? It does a
:37:59. > :38:03.range of activities, raising awareness, providing training and
:38:04. > :38:06.support to promote political leadership, economic realm,
:38:07. > :38:12.education access for girls, also working against violence in the
:38:13. > :38:27.family, child marriage, forced marriage and FGM.
:38:28. > :38:36.The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be returning now to Buckingham
:38:37. > :38:41.Palace while Prince Harry, the Duke of York and Earl of Wessex will be
:38:42. > :38:46.making their way to a post-service reception while Prince Charles will
:38:47. > :38:49.later travel to the Commonwealth secretariat for the
:38:50. > :38:52.Secretary-General's reception. So further events going on on this
:38:53. > :39:04.Commonwealth Day. And the Queen there having a word
:39:05. > :39:10.with James O'Donnell who directed the choir today. She's just moved on
:39:11. > :39:18.from him and speaking of course to some of the young choristers to whom
:39:19. > :39:40.they must have given her such pleasure today.
:39:41. > :39:45.So, we come to the end of this year's Commonwealth service which
:39:46. > :39:49.has been, as it is every year, an event like no other in the
:39:50. > :39:54.Westminster Abbey calendar, an eclectic mix of traditions, beliefs
:39:55. > :40:00.and cultures. It's a bond that will be on display again next year at the
:40:01. > :40:04.Commonwealth heads of Government meeting. But for the time being,
:40:05. > :40:07.from all of us, it's goodbye.