2017 A Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day


2017

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Transcript


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Good afternoon and welcome to Westminster Abbey for a special

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service to celebrate the 52 nations of the Commonwealth

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This service is held every year at Westminster Abbey and today

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Our relationship with the Commonwealth stretches

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back decades, but it could be that it is about to assume

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Soon, with our upcoming exit from the European Union,

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Britain's place in the world will change forever.

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We'll be looking for new partners and new relationships

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as well as endeavouring to renew and refresh some of our traditional

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alliances and representatives from those old alliances will be

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The Commonwealth has been the most enduring achievement

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of The Queen's reign and today, here at Westminster Abbey,

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it will be celebrated as it is every year.

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But this year of all years it may be with renewed vigour

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with an eye on Britain's future as much as our past.

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Well, as Head of the Commonwealth the Queen will lead the congregation

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With her will be the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales

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and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.

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The Commonwealth has always been hugely important to the Queen

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in a very personal way, and she has passed that

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commitment down to the younger members of her Family.

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Last year Prince Harry visited seven Commonwealth countries

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The Royal Family's attendance here today, and every year,

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reflects their continued support of the Commonwealth.

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The Commonwealth has an exceptionally young population.

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Of the its two and a half billion people, 60% are under 30-years-old.

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So gathered here in the congregation are over 600 school children,

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reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to youth.

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They recognise that the continued success of the Commonwealth

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rests with the young promoting its principles and values.

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As you would expect from an association that spans

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almost every corner of the globe today's service has

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There will be music and readings from across the Commonwealth.

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Baroness Scotland is playing a significant role in today's

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proceedings. Patricia Scotland made history by becoming the sixth

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Secretary-General and I know Secretary-General you have referred

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to yourself as a classic child of the Caribbean. How does that

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background prepare you for this role? Well, of course, because I've

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always been a child of the Commonwealth. I've got an Antiguan

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father. I was born in Dominic ka, but I grew up in the United Kingdom.

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Classic Commonwealth territory. And it makes me so proud now to be here

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as Secretary-General, head of the secretariat and sefring all 52

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countries in our Celt and 2.4 billion people. You've been serving

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that many people for almost a year now and in those 12 months so much

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has changed. How do you think the Commonwealth has to adapt to the

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challenges? I think one of the great things about the Commonwealth is 60%

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of our citizens are beneath the age of 30. So young, vibrant, forward

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looking, their future is all there before them and now the people say

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if the Commonwealth didn't exist we'd to make it up. We've got six

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regions, all races, all colours, all nationalities within our

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Commonwealth, but just as importantly, we share common

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language, common institutions and common values and that's binding us

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together and that friendship has been absolutely phenomenal. Is that

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where the Commonwealth draws it's main strength from? I think it is

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because we have so much in common and we have been together for so

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many years that that nexus is really tight and binds us and this year we

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are doing a peace building Commonwealth. We are starting with

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peace in our home. One in three women will suffer from domestic

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violence at some stage. We would like to reverse that and we want the

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Commonwealth to be right up there in front, planning, and working

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together, trying to decide what works and what doesn't work and then

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doing that which works to make us a safer, better, more peaceful

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Commonwealth. Secretary-General, thank you very much. We look forward

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to hearing your affirmation later. Thank you.

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Watching this service with me, sitting Inside Westminster Abbey is

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Dr Sue Onslow, we heard from Baroness Scotland. She is the

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Secretary-General, but if we take a step back, how important do you

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think the Commonwealth really is? Well, in these days of conflict

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politics, more than ever. The Commonwealth is an extraordinary

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people organisation. It's an association that relies on multiple

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connections across the world and it's an opportunity for people to

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work together. It works by consensus and by peer encouragement rather

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than coercion and compulsion and its DNA is everyone has an equal voice

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and I think right now, we need the politics and activities that foster

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co-operation. It is interesting you say that because it is a pivotal

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time, isn't it, with the Prime Minister intending to notify the

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European Union of Britain's intention to withdraw from the EU

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very shortly. This is a rapidly changing world. Given the context,

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what role do you think the Commonwealth can play? The modern

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Commonwealth is, it is not a nostalgic organisation. It grew out

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of Britain's relations with its former colonies, but it is a

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different entity now. It is a political organisation as well as a

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developal association and it works in multiple ways, strengthening,

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democracy in its member states and on the big themes that touch

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people's lives every day. The Secretary-General made reference to

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women's rights and issues. Issues of climate change to support youth, so

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much of the Commonwealth's work goes on below the surface. It is like an

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iceberg. Its professional associations of which there are over

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80 form a Matrix of networks across the world, covering professions,

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judges, lawyers, Local Government, Parliament. Sharing knowledge and

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expertise. So, a lot of people might think of the Commonwealth as quite a

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quaint organisation, something with its roots in the past. But with not

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very much of a presence in the present. Is that fair? I don't think

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it is. I understand why you might think that, but I go back to my

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point about it being an iceberg. It has hard-headed practical value as

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well as important spiritual and political value in terms of its

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support for the values within the Commonwealth Charter. So, it has, as

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I said, a relevance in today's world, more than ever before. Well,

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one of the most established and well-known institutions of the

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Commonwealth must be the Commonwealth Games and this morning,

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we saw the start of the Queen's Baton Relay from Buckingham Palace.

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The 288 day journey began when Anna Mears had the privilege of accepting

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the baton from Her Majesty the Queen.

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APPLAUSE Anna is joined by fellow

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international cycling great and nine times world champion, Great

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Britain's Victoria Pendleton. Its third baton bearer is Cody

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Simpson. A van arrives outside the gates of

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Buckingham Palace to take the baton on the next stage of its journey.

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And we can see the combi van on the last part of its journey coming up

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to Westminster Abbey. Bringing that baton containing the message from

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the Queen and Sue, it is interesting, isn't it, I suspect

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that most people, when they think about the Commonwealth will think

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about the Games? Commonwealth Games? Sport is a visual fun part of the

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Commonwealth. We saw that in Glasgow in 2014 when Usain Bolt came and

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sprinkle his stardust on the Commonwealth Games. I'm looking at

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the surf board on the back of the combi van. In the Commonwealth small

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countries are able to compete at respected credible international

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level. There are 23 small states in the Commonwealth and may have

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limited training and coaching resources so competing at

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Commonwealth level really is an important afamation. We see Dame

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Jessica Ennis-Hill arriving with the Queen's baton. The global superstar,

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of course, world heptathlon champion and herself a participant in the

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Commonwealth Games and the Youth Games from 2004. The Commonwealth

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has an exceptionally young population, doesn't it, Sue, in a

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way it is not surprising that sport would be central to its identity?

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Well, sport helps young people connect with the Commonwealth in a

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unique way and wise Commonwealth heads have long realised this. As I

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said, it offers the point of team building. It supports peace

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building. All part of that bigger jigsaw of the Commonwealth's work

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and of course, there is also cricket which is such an enjoyable sport

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across the Commonwealth. And inpenetrable who anyone that's not a

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member of it. We can see the baton being held by Dame Jessica

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Ennis-Hill. The two of them are followed by a procession of

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Commonwealth athletes. Included in the group is the Australian track

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cyclist Anna Mears who shared a friendly rivalry with Victoria

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Pendleton and also is Kurt Fearnley who will be reading later on in the

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service. Cody Simpson is singing, who was at the age of 12 a gold

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medal swimmer. # I think to myself what a wonderful

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world. # We see the baton being placed on the

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High Altar by the Dean of Westminster. It will remain there

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for the duration of the service before it journeys across 70 nations

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on its way to the Gold Coast Games in Australia.

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# Saying how do you do. # But they're really saying I love

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you. # I hear babies cry.

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# They'll learn much more than I'll ever know.

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# And I think to myself what a wonderful day."

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There are many different facets of the Commonwealth reflected

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Geri Horner is in the congregation. Geri brought along her ten-year-old

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daughter, Bluebell. Geri tell us about your experiences of travelling

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to Commonwealth countries? Well, first of all, it's such a pleasure

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to be here and really celebrate each other and I think by having the

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opportunity to travel, which is a gift, you suddenly see the beauty in

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our differences, but we are alike as well. It is a wonderful thing to do.

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There is such a focus on the Commonwealth on gender parity as

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well and it's now more than two decades since the Spice Girls came

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to the mainstream and really brought feminism back into popularity. Does

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it surprise you that the fight for women's rights is so central at the

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moment, on centre stage geopolitically? If we look back to

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the suffragettes they had to really speak up and it is one of those

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things you have to keep reminding. Of course, we want to live in a

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society where everybody is equal, whatever gender you are, whatever

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colour you are, whatever sex you are and that's a beautiful place to live

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and I think, you know, it's about education really, isn't it?

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Sometimes we need reminding and educating and I think that comes

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with kindness and just encouragement, some people just need

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catching up, that's the way it is. There are more than 600 kids in the

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congregation today. What would your message be to them? If any young

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kids are watching now, you have the power to change the world. It starts

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with you, your imagination and wonder and you have the power to do

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it, just through reading and positivity. It can happen. I think

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so. Geri Horner and Bluebell thank you. Thank you, it's lovely to be

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here. Sonali, thank you. We are looking now at the 52 flags from the

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52 nations of the Commonwealth as they process through the Abbey,

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accompanied by music from the Commonwealth Resounds. The flags are

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carried in the order that the countries joined the Commonwealth,

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so the two you see at the back, Mozambique Andhra Wanda, the most

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recent countries -- Rwanda. They have no historical connection to the

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British Empire, interestingly. Dr Sue Onslow, that's fascinating. How

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is it that they come to be in the Commonwealth? It may seem strange

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but there is a logic. The Commonwealth supported Mozambique

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after its independence, it was a frontline state in the struggle

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against apartheid South Africa and it was thanks to Nelson Mandela that

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Mozambique came to join in the 1990s. Rwanda was encouraged by

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Uganda to join to support the progress Rwanda made since the

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catastrophe of the genocide in 1994. And how unusual is that for

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countries to join? Is it the case that there are countries leaving as

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well? Yes, but it's not a revolving door. The Commonwealth does have

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standards to which member countries are held. Those who transgress are

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monitored by a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. And

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countries like Fiji and Pakistan have left and then joined again. The

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Gambia is going to be encouraged to join again. And we can see before us

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the procession of the faith leaders. Faith Leaders Procession

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largest annual inter-faith Leading the Zoroastrian Community

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is Malcolm M Deboo. Representing the Baha'i Community

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is Patrick O'Mara. Representing Orthodox Judaism

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is Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis Representing the Jain Community

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is Dr Natubhai Shah. Representing the Sunni Islam

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Community is Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra. Representing Liberal Judaism

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is Rabbi Rebeccas Birk Representing the Buddhist Community

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is the Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala. Representing the Jewish

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Reform Synagogues is Representing the Shia Muslim

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Community is Moulana Razawi. Representing the Hindu

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Community is Trupti Patel. Representing the Sikh Community

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is Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE. Then general comment

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on representatives of We heard earlier from Baroness

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Scotland. She's a truss tie of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee

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Trust. It was established in 2012 to support those in need across the

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Commonwealth. Once of its principal aims is to eliminate avoidable

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blindness. We spoke to the Countess of Wessex to hear about the impact

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this has had across the Commonwealth.

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80% of the world's blind populations are living in Commonwealth

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countries. The work of the Trust is profound. The goal is to eliminate

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avoidable blindness. The dracoma initiative in Malawi has been having

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unbelievable success rates. Dracoma is a bacteria which gets into the

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eye, it's a horrible condition. It affects people of all ages. You

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normally find it in rural areas. When it's not treated, the eye lid

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is infected, which in the process turns the eye inside and the eye

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lashes start to touch the eye ball leading to blindness. Maria's lived

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with this condition for ten years which is quite a long time of pain,

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a long time of not being able to provide for her household. She can't

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even go and fetch water. The good thing is that she'll be able to get

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surgery. Maria has been using a razor blade to cut the eye lashes

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that have been disturbing her eyes. There were moments when she said,

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I'd rather die than live with this pain. The surgery that can be

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performed is very simple because they cut the eye lid and turn the

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eye lid back out again so that it cannot turn inwards. It's very

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effective, very low-cost treatment. There have been more surgeons

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trained into how to do the basic surgery. Many millions have received

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antibiotics and there's been a huge awareness campaign. My fellow

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students, ladies and gentlemen, we...

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By teaching the young ones how to prevent Trachoma, this is one of the

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better ways of preventing it. We have been working with a number of

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people guided by the Minister of Health. We are on the brink of

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eliminating Trachoma which is a major milestone for the country. I'm

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thrilled to be able to be travelling to Malawi very soon to be able to

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see first hand the work that thief been carrying out and I'm looking

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forward to saying thank you to the people that have been involved with

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it because they worked extremely hard.

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And Maria's surgery went well, the sutures are looking good and they

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expect her to make a full recovery. She's very happy and relieved to no

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longer be in pain. The Earl of Wessex, Prince Andrew

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and Prince Harry all coming in and shaking hands with people in the

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receiving line. All of them are active participants in the life of

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the Commonwealth. Prince Harry, of course, visited seven Commonwealth

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countries of the Caribbean in November last year, representing the

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Queen, his grandmother. The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, who you can

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see, a little behind him, behind the Dean of Westminster. He's the grand

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President of the Royal Commonwealth ex-services league and the Earl of

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Wessex, Prince Edward, behind him, is the vice patron of the

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Commonwealth Games federation. Of course, his wife, the Countess of

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Wessex is not here because she's on her way to Malawi as patron of the

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Avoidable Blindness Association. Prince Harry there shaking hands

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with the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat. He is the chair in

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office, with Malta having hosted the Commonwealth heads of Government

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meeting in Malta. Lord Howell of Guildford and

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Achaleke Christian Lek. Going back to Prince Harry's tour

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last year of the Caribbean, he went to several countries, including

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Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia and Barbados. He unveiled four

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dedications to the Queen's Commonwealth canopy, which is a

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global forestry project to preserve forest land for future generations.

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He visited social projects like the nature fun ranch which allows people

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to speak freely about important topics, including HIV AIDS. In

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Barbados, he took an HIV test with the international star Rihanna,

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encouraging others to get themselves tested.

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Sue Onslow, watching these younger members of the Royal Family here

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today, it shows how important the Commonwealth is to them? It does

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indeed. The Queen has imBewled her love and devotion to the

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Commonwealth among the younger mens of her family. -- members of her

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family. She regards the Commonwealth as her life's work, she's exited

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herself to it since 1952 and she really has been the invisible blue.

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It's her version of identity politics which is inclusive rather

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than exclusive. She takes it seriously and has passed this on.

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Here is the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of

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Cornwall. The Prince of Wales has been a proud

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supporter. The Duchess has accompanied him on every trip.

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Sue, as we await the imminent arrival of the Queen, let's take a

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moment to talk about the importance of her role as head of the

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Commonwealth. The Queen has given the Commonwealth visibility, wisdom,

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practical advice and support to help it smooth through the inevitable

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rifts and political fights that have gone on within the family, such as

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over apartheid South Africa, and she's conI believe the yewed

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enormously to -- contributed to its cohesion and modernity. She's been a

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unique, much-loved head. It's worth mentioning that, although the role

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passed to Her Majesty the Queen from her father, the role of head of the

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Commonwealth, it's not a role that will necessarily pass to Charles

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when he becomes King? You are right, it's not a given that

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Prince Charles will automatically take over as head of the

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Commonwealth, although much of his life's work chimes in very much with

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the modern Commonwealth's values and areas of activities. His work as

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part of the Prince's Trust, his work on the environment and climate

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change, all of these chime in with the Commonwealth's forward-looking

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approach to the aspects of this which touch so many people's lives.

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There's Prince Charles speaking to the wife of Joseph Muscat, the Prime

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Minister of Malta. And it's obvious isn't it Sue that

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the Royal Family have a real affection for the Commonwealth? They

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do. It's added great pleasure, great interest, the opportunity to travel

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and to meet so many different communities and nations across the

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globe. It's really helped to balance the constraints of being

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constitutional-month-old -- constitutional Monarch. We can

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see people in the congregation as we await the arrival of the Queen.

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There is the Prime Minister, Theresa May. She will host the next

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Commonwealth heads of Government meeting or CHOGM as it's known next

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year in the UK. She'll take over as chair in office in the Commonwealth.

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Another famous face in the audience, that of the singer Annie Lennox who

:29:04.:29:07.

addressed the congregation at the service in 2011. She's a spokeswoman

:29:08.:29:11.

and advocate for HIV related causes. Sir John Major, the former British

:29:12.:29:32.

Prime Minister who had a key role to play in the Commonwealth under

:29:33.:29:35.

Margaret Thatcher during the period of apartheid in South Africa during

:29:36.:29:41.

the late 1980s. And Sue, he is somebody who retains a great

:29:42.:29:43.

affection for the Commonwealth isn't he? Very much so. John Major was

:29:44.:29:50.

himself a consensus politician when he took over as British Prime

:29:51.:29:53.

Minister. There was a collective breathing out among some

:29:54.:29:56.

Commonwealth heads that Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was no

:29:57.:30:01.

longer there because she was a divisive and controversial figure.

:30:02.:30:06.

But Sir John Major's worked towards building Commonwealth activities.

:30:07.:30:09.

He's of course himself a passionate follower of cricket. But he

:30:10.:30:17.

supported helping debt forgiveness which was of serious practical value

:30:18.:30:19.

to Commonwealth countries. We can see others. And now we see

:30:20.:30:36.

the arrival of the car with Her Majesty the Queen. She is

:30:37.:30:41.

accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh arriving in the sanctuary of

:30:42.:30:42.

Westminster Abbey. The Queen is being introduced to

:30:43.:32:05.

members of the clergy here at Westminster Abbey. The Dean of

:32:06.:32:11.

Westminster Abbey, John Hall is at her side.

:32:12.:32:26.

Dr Sue Onslow it is a fact, isn't it, that the life of the

:32:27.:32:31.

Commonwealth almost exactly mirrors that of the reign of Queen

:32:32.:32:35.

Elizabeth, so maybe it is no great surprise that it means so much to

:32:36.:32:40.

her? The modern Commonwealth came into existence in 1949, but the

:32:41.:32:44.

Queen had already made her vow to dedicate her life to it in 1947, but

:32:45.:32:48.

yes, the Commonwealth has changed and grown with Her Majesty the

:32:49.:32:54.

Queen. She, of course, is separate in her ceremonial role as Head of

:32:55.:32:57.

the Commonwealth. # Meet for him whose

:32:58.:33:12.

love espoused thee # All thy streets

:33:13.:35:29.

and all thy bulwarks # Bright thy gates

:35:30.:35:38.

of pearl are shining # Who for Christ's dear

:35:39.:35:52.

Name in this world On behalf of the Dean and Chapter I

:35:53.:38:41.

warmly welcome you to Westminster Abbey for our annual celebration of

:38:42.:38:44.

the Commonwealth in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen whose role as

:38:45.:38:49.

Head of the Commonwealth binds us together in peace. We celebrate this

:38:50.:38:56.

year, the Commonwealth as a builder of peace. As we give thanks for the

:38:57.:39:02.

diversity of faiths, of resources and circumstances in our countries,

:39:03.:39:09.

we must pray that we maybe united in peace and friendship and together

:39:10.:39:14.

promote peace in our divided world. So let us pray in the words of Jesus

:39:15.:39:22.

for the coming of God's Kingdom of justice, and peace.

:39:23.:39:35.

ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

:39:36.:39:37.

thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

:39:38.:39:41.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those

:39:42.:39:44.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

:39:45.:39:48.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.

:39:49.:39:52.

And now an a capella performance from Canadian Soprano

:39:53.:40:00.

# I looked over Jordan, what do I see

:40:01.:41:33.

# We shall overcome. # We shall overcome.

:41:34.:42:41.

# Deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome one day. . .

:42:42.:42:55.

# If you get there before I do, coming for to carry me home.

:42:56.:43:10.

# Tell all my friends I'm coming home too.

:43:11.:43:23.

# Come for to carry me home. # We'll walk hand-in-hand.

:43:24.:43:30.

We'll walk hand-in-hand. # We'll walk hand-in-hand one day.

:43:31.:44:11.

# One day in my heart I do believe we'll walk hand-in-hand one day.

:44:12.:44:32.

And now a reflection from an extraordinary

:44:33.:44:37.

young peace advocate, Achaleke Christian Leke.

:44:38.:44:55.

This reading is personal to me. I've been a victim of radicalisation.

:44:56.:45:04.

Growing up in a community, in the Republic of Cameroon, which was

:45:05.:45:12.

plagued by real violence, insecurity. I told myself that my

:45:13.:45:18.

future would never be shared by these atrocities. My journey for

:45:19.:45:27.

peace began in Cameroon, a youth-led civil society organisation there.

:45:28.:45:31.

Since then I've become an ambassador of change, a peace hero that's

:45:32.:45:35.

determined to risk his life for peace if that is what it takes. I

:45:36.:45:41.

believe that peace is not the absence of war, but something that

:45:42.:45:52.

we need in our hearts. Diversity is in the DNA of the Commonwealth.

:45:53.:46:01.

Peace runs in its veins. Despite our religion, cultural, age, colour,

:46:02.:46:06.

class or gender - there are many of us risking our lives to bring about

:46:07.:46:16.

peace and make a change. Looking back to Gandhi, Mandela and Bob

:46:17.:46:23.

Marley, we remain inspired by those people and stand strong against any

:46:24.:46:30.

form of violence. It takes each of us and the tools we have at our

:46:31.:46:38.

disposal, using our voice, sports, arts, story-telling and music. We

:46:39.:46:43.

can promote peace. Investing in young people and ensuring the role

:46:44.:46:50.

of our youth is just as important. To achieve peace, we must educate

:46:51.:46:56.

our peers to understand that, despite our race, religion or

:46:57.:47:02.

culture, we are equal. Be you a man or woman, young or old, poor or

:47:03.:47:09.

rich, we are all equal. We are one people. Together, let us stand for

:47:10.:47:19.

love, tolerance, justice and peace. Today, I am using my experience to

:47:20.:47:24.

provide innovative solutions to violence, using my transformation to

:47:25.:47:29.

connect and transform young people. My team and I work with young people

:47:30.:47:36.

on the streets, correction centres, prisons, schools and communities,

:47:37.:47:42.

building their skills and asking them to open their eyes against

:47:43.:47:48.

violence and calling upon our Government to provide solutions.

:47:49.:47:52.

Using violence to fight violence as a means of peace-building is not the

:47:53.:47:57.

best practice. I am glad to see the civil part to peace gaining grounds.

:47:58.:48:04.

Across the Commonwealth, we have evidence of young people, many

:48:05.:48:11.

unpraised and unheard of, working daily and tirelessly to promote

:48:12.:48:19.

peace. Today, I see a new generation of young change-makers, united on

:48:20.:48:23.

the one front. We preach Gandhi's philosophy. He said, nonviolence is

:48:24.:48:28.

the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It's mightier than the

:48:29.:48:33.

mitiest weapon of destruction, devised by the ingenuity of man.

:48:34.:48:38.

Young people cannot do this alone. We must partner with our Governments

:48:39.:48:44.

to uphold human rights, democracy and good governance. I stand here to

:48:45.:48:50.

call on our Governments to support and take new partnerships seriously,

:48:51.:48:54.

Fortis the only solution to end the cycle of violence. I am excited by

:48:55.:49:00.

the presence of young people here today. -- for It is. Young people

:49:01.:49:06.

who have their futures before them. I have this message for you - I have

:49:07.:49:14.

seen the violence even in the UK and I have tasted the honey of peace. I

:49:15.:49:20.

am convinced peace is the only way to achieve sustainable development.

:49:21.:49:26.

Peace is possible. I have made peace my personal business. Will you?

:49:27.:49:31.

Together, we can make a difference. Join me on this juernny of change --

:49:32.:49:37.

journey of change. The path may be difficult and dangerous, but

:49:38.:49:40.

together we'll make the world a better and more peaceful place.

:49:41.:49:44.

Thank you very much. APPLAUSE.

:49:45.:49:56.

The Choir will now sing O Hearken, a piece composed by Roxanna Panufnik

:49:57.:49:59.

whose son is singing in the choir today.

:50:00.:50:23.

ANTHEM: O Hearken composed by Roxanna Panufnik.

:50:24.:52:01.

The Maltese poet Immanuel Mifsud will now

:52:02.:52:03.

read his own poem entitled 'The Book.'

:52:04.:52:08.

Tomorrow open the old book your mother gave you.

:52:09.:52:11.

Mind, open it carefully; from between pages a dawn

:52:12.:52:15.

will emerge, unlike any you've ever seen.

:52:16.:52:20.

Once the sun's risen, get up, walk about that

:52:21.:52:26.

You'll find between pages hills to climb, rivers to forge.

:52:27.:52:37.

And gather a fistful of red, red soil.

:52:38.:52:40.

Halfway through the book you'll meet the sea.

:52:41.:52:47.

There is land still; look, there on the page you'll be turning

:52:48.:52:57.

And I will be there on the edge of the rocks, waiting with bread

:52:58.:53:09.

and water; waiting to welcome you, embrace, hold your hand.

:53:10.:53:13.

We shall walk; tell each other stories, stories collected

:53:14.:53:19.

The next page on, when we get to my home, we spread out that

:53:20.:53:31.

precious red fistful of soil; place within it a seed, gently water it.

:53:32.:53:42.

Turn the page: we look at the moon and wait.

:53:43.:53:53.

And just as we are closing the book, a tree springs to life,

:53:54.:53:57.

firm and verdant from the seed, from the soil, flourishing

:53:58.:54:02.

between pages, pages of the old book that our mother gave us.

:54:03.:54:21.

Kurt Fearnley will now read verses 4-9 of the Philippians.

:54:22.:54:35.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

:54:36.:54:38.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

:54:39.:54:41.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer

:54:42.:54:46.

and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be

:54:47.:54:50.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

:54:51.:54:57.

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

:54:58.:55:02.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable,

:55:03.:55:08.

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,

:55:09.:55:15.

whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence

:55:16.:55:18.

and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

:55:19.:55:23.

Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received

:55:24.:55:29.

and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace

:55:30.:55:32.

We'll hear now from Courtenay Cleary of Australia who'll play Bach.

:55:33.:59:38.

Prime Minister Muscat, Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth,

:59:39.:59:54.

will now give his reflection, read by the The Honourable Dr Joseph

:59:55.:59:56.

Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta at theGreat Pulpit.

:59:57.:00:00.

It is imperative that we remember that peace and reconciliation are

:00:01.:00:07.

objectively possible. They can be achieved. Of course, they must not

:00:08.:00:14.

be understood as goals that can be achieved once and for all.

:00:15.:00:20.

Everywhere and at the same time. The long way to peace and reconciliation

:00:21.:00:27.

is tortuous and difficult and is never over. The world today is

:00:28.:00:35.

characterised by a number of fault lines between and within States.

:00:36.:00:41.

Tensions along some of these fault lines have reached critical levels.

:00:42.:00:47.

Instability has become the norm and uncertainty is the rule of the game.

:00:48.:00:54.

More over, two factors are contributing to making this a very

:00:55.:01:06.

dangerous world indeed. On one hand, terrorism embedded in religious

:01:07.:01:11.

belief. On the other hand, the emergence of an intolerant populism

:01:12.:01:14.

that feeds on the lack of knowledge and on racism. Both of them shun

:01:15.:01:23.

reason, promote fanaticism and actively commit or indirectly

:01:24.:01:35.

inincite violence. Both of these are models that have patently failed

:01:36.:01:41.

inasmuch as they are insufficiently inconclusive and inclusive. Both of

:01:42.:01:46.

them subscribe to a vision of history as an inevitable clash of at

:01:47.:01:52.

least two incompatible civilisations. Both of them feed on

:01:53.:02:01.

fear, of hate, of diversity. What can and what should the Commonwealth

:02:02.:02:06.

realistically do in these difficult circumstances? One answer lies in

:02:07.:02:10.

the uniqueness of the enduring bond that brought us here today.

:02:11.:02:18.

Uniqueness that is not easy to explain. Although we can boast the

:02:19.:02:24.

combined population of 2.4 billion. Although we represent 52 nation

:02:25.:02:31.

States, our real stint lies elsewhere. It lies in the intensity

:02:32.:02:35.

of our relationship throughout our modern history. A relationship that

:02:36.:02:46.

has been by no means - indeed, the history of this relationship has

:02:47.:02:52.

known joy, pride and communion. But also blood, sweat and tears.

:02:53.:03:00.

Whilst we have all emerged with the keener sense of our historical

:03:01.:03:04.

national identities, and the greater respect of each other's national

:03:05.:03:10.

identity, we have also grown more wary of cynical attempts to appeal

:03:11.:03:19.

to history to justify aggressive. It is an attempt to troll through the

:03:20.:03:31.

past for moral justification. It is a case when the past is but the

:03:32.:03:38.

sinners of the present. This relationship has taught us that

:03:39.:03:44.

beyond the national interests and in spite of the pain and sometimes

:03:45.:03:51.

bitterness that some experienced, there is a value in our peace and

:03:52.:03:59.

reconciliation. Has it gone all the way? No, it has not. . It will only

:04:00.:04:06.

have gone all the way when in each of our countries the value of the

:04:07.:04:17.

individual dignity regardless of nationality ethnicity, social class

:04:18.:04:22.

and opinion will truly be upheld and guaranteed. I want to single out the

:04:23.:04:29.

respect for LGBT persons. The lack of it. The remarkable number of our

:04:30.:04:44.

countries is arguably a considerable blot. I have had conversations and I

:04:45.:04:49.

am aware there are leaders who know that things must change, but are

:04:50.:04:53.

wary of how society would react to their first move. To them, I said

:04:54.:05:00.

and I say, that the Commonwealth will be with them to help them make

:05:01.:05:07.

the first bold steps. History, I am sure, will judge them positively

:05:08.:05:13.

when they do so. A powerful contribution to peace and

:05:14.:05:18.

reconciliation begins from the microdimension of the world. Global

:05:19.:05:23.

and international relations are of course important and so are burning

:05:24.:05:30.

national political issues, but the individuals immediate social

:05:31.:05:35.

habitat, the home, is fundamental. There is a view delusional in my

:05:36.:05:40.

opinion, amongst many throughout the world to imagine that social

:05:41.:05:48.

progress is essentially a top down process in which politician and

:05:49.:05:52.

technocrats engineer microchange and the positive outcome for this change

:05:53.:05:59.

at the top simply percolates down by some sort of social force of

:06:00.:06:05.

gravity. This is the sort of view that generates social exclusion. It

:06:06.:06:09.

is the sort of view that justifies perception of the world, that are

:06:10.:06:16.

effectively captured by well-known verses. Things fall apart. The

:06:17.:06:28.

centre cannot hold. It is significant that the great

:06:29.:06:33.

Commonwealth author chose to borrow a phrase from these verses as a

:06:34.:06:40.

title for his classic 1958 novel Things Fall Apart. There can be no

:06:41.:06:47.

solid and lasting international and national peace and reconciliation

:06:48.:06:51.

unless it is built on the consciousness of millions of

:06:52.:06:57.

individuals who value their own individual dignity, whose homes

:06:58.:07:02.

enjoy the domestic peace based on equality and mutual respect of

:07:03.:07:08.

genders and is free of domestic violence where women and children

:07:09.:07:12.

are most of the time the main victims. Individuals who do not

:07:13.:07:19.

value their own individual dignity, do not value the dignity of others.

:07:20.:07:26.

Those who do not uphold these values tend to fuse into multitudes that

:07:27.:07:30.

make up the base of extremist movements. These short reflections

:07:31.:07:36.

would be incomplete without observing that in the treasure

:07:37.:07:40.

throve of the wealth of our common experience together we also find

:07:41.:07:48.

such noble qualities, a strength in the face of adversity and indeed,

:07:49.:07:57.

great generosity. Certainly, the enthusism with which our mother

:07:58.:08:03.

lands came together to resist the barbaric threat to civilisation

:08:04.:08:08.

during the Second World War is a magnificent example of the ultimate

:08:09.:08:14.

generosity and solidarity. Allow me to seize this opportunity to express

:08:15.:08:20.

Malta's great pride in people's contribution to this effort. A

:08:21.:08:25.

contribution we paid for dearly with blood and suffering, as many others

:08:26.:08:31.

did. There is no scarcity of opportunity today for the world to

:08:32.:08:36.

concretely show its appreciation of those who strive to survive in the

:08:37.:08:43.

face of great adversity and to show concrete solidarity with them.

:08:44.:08:51.

Conflict and economic failure are generating migration flows of

:08:52.:08:54.

biblical proportions, with untold suffering for thousands. Many of

:08:55.:08:58.

whom lose their lives in the process. We are in times of trouble.

:08:59.:09:07.

Hours of darkness may confront us at any time. But lest we misunderstand

:09:08.:09:15.

the words of wisdom of a song most of us can at least hum, our response

:09:16.:09:22.

cannot simply be whispered as let it be. Our modders and fathers didn't.

:09:23.:09:28.

Thank you. -- mothers and fathers didn't. Thank

:09:29.:09:29.

you. British Ugandan George

:09:30.:09:40.

the Poet performs a cover SONG: My Love Is Your Love

:09:41.:09:48.

by George The Poet. # A waste is something

:09:49.:10:08.

I was never sent to be # The future holds days that

:10:09.:10:12.

I was never meant to see # What I'm trying to say

:10:13.:10:14.

is I'll be dead eventually # And memories will be

:10:15.:10:17.

the only evidence of me # That makes you everyone

:10:18.:10:19.

else's best attempt to see # Exactly who I was,

:10:20.:10:22.

that means you're testament to me # You might not have the same

:10:23.:10:25.

features or complexion as me # But you are by far

:10:26.:10:28.

the best reflection of me # Funny how we are joking

:10:29.:10:36.

when everyone else is stuck up # You're behind every ounce

:10:37.:10:50.

of courage I can pluck up # You know me when I'm "that guy",

:10:51.:10:56.

love me when I'm bruck up # Help me when I'm racking my brains

:10:57.:11:00.

trying to get my luck up # I need you, I could never

:11:01.:11:03.

decide to go and move # And if you feel the same then it's

:11:04.:11:06.

time to show and prove, cos # Your love is my love

:11:07.:11:09.

and my love is your love # It would take an

:11:10.:11:12.

eternity to break us # And the chains of Amos

:11:13.:11:15.

Yas couldn't hold us # Your love is my love

:11:16.:11:17.

and my love is your love # It would take an

:11:18.:11:20.

eternity to break us # And the chains of Amos Yas

:11:21.:11:24.

couldn't hold us # Whether it's making money

:11:25.:11:26.

or spitting fire in the booth # My number one goal

:11:27.:11:29.

is inspiring the youth # Please don't let this

:11:30.:11:31.

world make you cold # I didn't make it but

:11:32.:11:33.

I can make it better # How does a legacy last

:11:34.:11:41.

after they forget us? # Just make sure your love

:11:42.:11:43.

is the greatest ever # The rain germinates the seed

:11:44.:11:46.

then the sun comes out # And in turn it

:11:47.:11:49.

makes the leaves grow # But it's the gardener's job

:11:50.:11:52.

to terminate the weeds though # Everything will be

:11:53.:11:54.

fine just breathe slow # You give me the strength

:11:55.:11:57.

to reject the things # Put me on such a high

:11:58.:11:59.

it's close to divine # So whenever I'm with

:12:00.:12:03.

you I find myself smiling # For no particular

:12:04.:12:05.

reason most of the time # Cos whenever I'm with

:12:06.:12:16.

you I find myself smiling # For no particular

:12:17.:12:19.

reason most of the time # You put me on such a high

:12:20.:12:22.

it's close to divine # Your love is my love

:12:23.:12:25.

and my love is your love # It would take an

:12:26.:12:30.

eternity to break us # And the chains of Amos

:12:31.:12:32.

Yas couldn't hold us # Your love is my love

:12:33.:12:35.

and my love is your love # It would take an

:12:36.:12:38.

eternity to break us # Your everyone else's best attempt

:12:39.:12:51.

to see. # You might not have the same

:12:52.:12:57.

features or complexion of me. # But you are the best reflection of

:12:58.:13:01.

me. # Thank you.

:13:02.:13:05.

And now the congregation will sing Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.

:13:06.:13:23.

HYMN: "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind".

:13:24.:13:25.

# In simple trust like theirs who heard

:13:26.:14:07.

He who devotes himself to this practice of meditation upon peace

:14:08.:16:26.

sleeps happily, wakes happily, is calm in the senses, calm in the

:16:27.:16:32.

mind, has a strong faith, is noble in intention. He is reveered by his

:16:33.:16:42.

fellow beings. If he fails to have enlightenment in the present life,

:16:43.:16:47.

he's bound for happiness in the future.

:16:48.:16:55.

God of all creation, we stand in awe before you, impelled

:16:56.:17:00.

We are children of many traditions-inheritors of shared

:17:01.:17:07.

In that which we share, let us see the common prayer

:17:08.:17:17.

of humanity; where we differ, let us wonder at human freedom;

:17:18.:17:23.

in our unity and our differences, let us know the uniqueness

:17:24.:17:29.

May our courage match our convictions and our

:17:30.:17:36.

Om, let us both protect each other together.

:17:37.:17:57.

May both of us put our energies together.

:17:58.:18:03.

May our studies be radiantly glorious.

:18:04.:18:05.

May peace radiate there in the whole sky, as well as in the vast

:18:06.:18:12.

O Lord, save our world on fire with conflict and strife.

:18:13.:18:34.

Let the healing kindness of your blessings save us,

:18:35.:18:38.

Says Nanak, the path of peace lies in living true

:18:39.:18:46.

Lord most high, we turn to you, beseeching you through your mercy

:18:47.:19:00.

which encompasses all of creation, your light which revives

:19:01.:19:04.

all hearts, and your love which provides us hope.

:19:05.:19:08.

Make firm our unity as we stand together and amend our shortcomings

:19:09.:19:15.

that we may be steadfast in what is to come.O

:19:16.:19:18.

he who is tranquil, place in our hearts tranquility,

:19:19.:19:22.

and in our actions, wisdom.O sustainer of the heavens

:19:23.:19:26.

and of the earth, strengthen through your grace our common wealth

:19:27.:19:30.

and clothe us in your virtues that we may be an example

:19:31.:19:33.

of benevolence to one another, in your name, most glorified.

:19:34.:19:35.

O almighty God, you have called us to faith and life,

:19:36.:19:45.

and encourage us with such a great cloud of witnesses.

:19:46.:19:50.

Grant that we, strengthened by the example of your saints,

:19:51.:19:55.

may persevere in running the race that is set before us,

:19:56.:20:01.

until at length we may receive with them the fullness

:20:02.:20:04.

of your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

:20:05.:20:09.

The next Anthem will be familiar to many of us as it was played

:20:10.:20:18.

at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,

:20:19.:20:22.

# We will go into the house of the Lord

:20:23.:21:29.

# For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord

:21:30.:22:35.

# To give thanks unto the Name of the Lord

:22:36.:22:51.

# Even the seat of the house of David

:22:52.:23:41.

# And plenteousness within thy palaces

:23:42.:24:31.

# And plenteousness within thy palaces

:24:32.:24:48.

# For my brethren and companions' sakes

:24:49.:25:45.

Eus now stand to pledge ourselves afresh to uphold and serve the

:25:46.:25:53.

values and fellowship of the Commonwealth.

:25:54.:25:56.

We affirm our respect for nature, and that we will be stewards

:25:57.:26:03.

of the earth by caring for every part of it, and for it as a whole.

:26:04.:26:12.

We affirm our belief in justice for everyone, and peace

:26:13.:26:21.

Joining together in kinship and affinity we celebrate

:26:22.:26:29.

all that we receive and are able to share with one another

:26:30.:26:34.

as members of the worldwide Commonwealth family,

:26:35.:26:39.

delivering social progress, advancing democracy,

:26:40.:26:44.

and building economic resilience with prosperity in

:26:45.:26:51.

We cherish the spirit of respect and understanding that inspires us

:26:52.:26:59.

as 'A Peacebuilding Commonwealth' to work for the eradication

:27:00.:27:06.

of all forms of violence from homes and communities,

:27:07.:27:09.

and with goodwill and cordiality for the comity of nations.

:27:10.:27:14.

We stand in solidarity alongside the vulnerable and marginalised,

:27:15.:27:21.

and all who live in fear of discrimination or oppression,

:27:22.:27:26.

pledging to uphold their rights to justice and dignity.

:27:27.:27:36.

ALL: We affirm our belief in the Commonwealth as a force

:27:37.:27:39.

for good in the world, and pledge ourselves to its service,

:27:40.:27:43.

And now for the final hymn, Crown Him With Many Crowns.

:27:44.:28:00.

# Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne

:28:01.:28:12.

# Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own

:28:13.:28:19.

# Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee

:28:20.:28:26.

# And hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity #.

:28:27.:28:31.

# Rich wounds yet visible above in beauty glorified

:28:32.:29:02.

# No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight

:29:03.:29:12.

# But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright #.

:29:13.:29:25.

# Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a sceptre sways

:29:26.:29:36.

# From pole to pole, that wars may cease

:29:37.:29:42.

# And round his pierced feet fair flowers of paradise

:29:43.:30:01.

# Extend their fragrance ever sweet #.

:30:02.:30:09.

# Crown him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,

:30:10.:30:20.

# Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime

:30:21.:30:31.

# Glassed in a sea of light, where everlasting waves

:30:32.:30:36.

Into God's gracious mercy and protection we commit you.

:30:37.:31:06.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine

:31:07.:31:11.

The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you,

:31:12.:31:17.

and give you peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father,

:31:18.:31:21.

the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain

:31:22.:31:26.

And that marks the end of the service.

:31:27.:31:55.

We are starting to see the young members of the choir and members of

:31:56.:32:04.

the clergy process towards the exit of the Great West Door. The young

:32:05.:32:12.

members of the choir attend the Abbey's residential choir school,

:32:13.:32:15.

although they are involved in many of the Abbey's services, there were

:32:16.:32:19.

eight boys singing for the Queen in the contest of the Commonwealth

:32:20.:32:21.

service for the first time today. Sue Onslow, your reflections? That

:32:22.:32:35.

service was a unique combination. It acknowledged other faiths, the

:32:36.:32:38.

emphasis on shared spiritual values. For that, we have to thank Her

:32:39.:32:41.

Majesty the Queen as head of the Commonwealth. It's been held in this

:32:42.:32:47.

sacred space at Westminster Abbey since 1973 and it's highly unusual

:32:48.:32:52.

and even more valid today if days of division and conflict. There was

:32:53.:32:58.

such a variety of faiths of course, but also of performance? I was very

:32:59.:33:06.

struck by the multiple themes and motives of peace coming through this

:33:07.:33:10.

service, the unity of the colours of the Commonwealth flags, the flowers,

:33:11.:33:17.

the flags themselves, Measha Brueggergosman's triumphant singing

:33:18.:33:21.

of old songs of the oppressed in that vibrant sea of today and

:33:22.:33:26.

freedom. Joseph Muscat's message that peace-building in all forms

:33:27.:33:29.

needs commitment and hard work, it's a work in progress. I was watching

:33:30.:33:33.

particularly the faces of the young people the way that they reacted to

:33:34.:33:37.

Achaleke Christian Lek and George the Poet. They really did engage

:33:38.:33:42.

with that fusion of personal experience, as well as poetry and

:33:43.:33:43.

music. The Queen, we shouldn't forget is

:33:44.:34:02.

not just of course our Queen, she's also Queen to 15 other Commonwealth

:34:03.:34:05.

nations. That's important to her and important to them. Yes. We Brits

:34:06.:34:08.

have to remember that we share our Queen. She's indeed Queen of 16

:34:09.:34:16.

Commonwealth realms, as well as that separate role that she has add head

:34:17.:34:21.

of the Modern Commonwealth. In travelling, as she has done across

:34:22.:34:26.

the modern Commonwealth, since 1952 and the pleasure she's drawn from

:34:27.:34:30.

meeting so many people, the diversity of experience that she's

:34:31.:34:34.

been able to enjoy, and I have to say, it's the pleasure of meeting

:34:35.:34:39.

the Queen that's been very evidently mutual, that part of the Queen's

:34:40.:34:42.

role is to endorse and encourage the work of those who don't normally get

:34:43.:34:48.

noticed, and she does it with great skill, great charisma and great

:34:49.:34:52.

grace. She has visited 50 of the 52

:34:53.:34:58.

Commonwealth countries, and Prince Philip has accompanied the Queen on

:34:59.:35:03.

tours and state visits. The first of her visits was the Coronation tour

:35:04.:35:08.

of the Commonwealth from November 1953 to May 1954. The couple

:35:09.:35:16.

visited, amongst other countries, Bermuda, Jamaica, Panama, Fiji,

:35:17.:35:18.

Uganda, Libya, Malta and Gibraltar. And Sue, the Queen does view her

:35:19.:35:36.

role as Head of the Commonwealth, as being very distinct from her role as

:35:37.:35:42.

Monarch of the UK? She does indeed. It is a separate originally symbolic

:35:43.:35:46.

but now ceremonial role that she brings to it. She now opens the

:35:47.:35:49.

Commonwealth heads of Government meeting. We saw the Mace in the

:35:50.:35:55.

service which is there when the Queen performs ceremonial roles. The

:35:56.:36:00.

Queen also holds audiences during Commonwealth heads of Government

:36:01.:36:02.

meeting where she individually meets leaders. She has a private lunch for

:36:03.:36:07.

new leaders and they value very much their chance to talk to her. And

:36:08.:36:16.

there we see the Queen greeting performers whose performances she

:36:17.:36:21.

clearly so enjoyed. Kohli Simpson there, the Australian singer, and

:36:22.:36:24.

therefore that, Achaleke Christian Lek who we heard from earlier --

:36:25.:36:29.

Cody Simpson. What an amazing young man Achaleke Christian Lek is.

:36:30.:36:43.

And here we see the Queen with the Maltese writer, Immanuel misif you

:36:44.:36:52.

had born in a post-independent Malta. He's given voice to the

:36:53.:36:58.

country's growing identity. There speaking to Kurt Fearnley who we

:36:59.:37:03.

heard giving a reading earlier. Kurt won Commonwealth silver in 2014 and

:37:04.:37:10.

Commonwealth gold in 2010. There shaking hands with Courtenay Cleary,

:37:11.:37:18.

the violinist. And with George the Poet. The British Ugandan singer,

:37:19.:37:30.

poet. He gave a captive ating performance of Your Love can

:37:31.:37:32.

Subpoena my Love -- captive ating. Sue, there is been a great emphasis

:37:33.:37:47.

on young people and youth in today's service, but we should remember that

:37:48.:37:50.

the Commonwealth charter includes a statement about a commitment to

:37:51.:37:53.

gender equality. What does the Commonwealth do for women? It does a

:37:54.:37:58.

range of activities, raising awareness, providing training and

:37:59.:38:03.

support to promote political leadership, economic realm,

:38:04.:38:06.

education access for girls, also working against violence in the

:38:07.:38:12.

family, child marriage, forced marriage and FGM.

:38:13.:38:27.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be returning now to Buckingham

:38:28.:38:36.

Palace while Prince Harry, the Duke of York and Earl of Wessex will be

:38:37.:38:41.

making their way to a post-service reception while Prince Charles will

:38:42.:38:46.

later travel to the Commonwealth secretariat for the

:38:47.:38:49.

Secretary-General's reception. So further events going on on this

:38:50.:38:52.

Commonwealth Day. And the Queen there having a word

:38:53.:39:04.

with James O'Donnell who directed the choir today. She's just moved on

:39:05.:39:10.

from him and speaking of course to some of the young choristers to whom

:39:11.:39:18.

they must have given her such pleasure today.

:39:19.:39:40.

So, we come to the end of this year's Commonwealth service which

:39:41.:39:45.

has been, as it is every year, an event like no other in the

:39:46.:39:49.

Westminster Abbey calendar, an eclectic mix of traditions, beliefs

:39:50.:39:54.

and cultures. It's a bond that will be on display again next year at the

:39:55.:40:00.

Commonwealth heads of Government meeting. But for the time being,

:40:01.:40:04.

from all of us, it's goodbye.

:40:05.:40:07.

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