0:00:27 > 0:00:31Good afternoon, and welcome to the Commonwealth Service at a rather
0:00:31 > 0:00:37damp Westminster Abbey. This is going to be another great day in
0:00:37 > 0:00:41March. This service is a celebration of the modern day Commonwealth, its
0:00:41 > 0:00:47diversity in the Queen's commitment to it throughout her long reign.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Inside, the people have been gathering for a couple of hours and
0:00:50 > 0:00:55have been entertained by a Maori choir who will later on, whilst the
0:00:55 > 0:01:00service goes on, will be producing some absolutely wonderful music. I
0:01:00 > 0:01:06think they are taking a breather at the moment. Largest turnout of the
0:01:06 > 0:01:11Royal family, as well, at this service and there has been for many,
0:01:11 > 0:01:17many years. The first appearance at the Abbey of Meghan Markle ahead of
0:01:17 > 0:01:22her wedding to Prince Harry in May this year. We are seeing now a
0:01:22 > 0:01:28procession of 53 flags from 53 nations of the Commonwealth. They
0:01:28 > 0:01:35are carried by young representatives of all those countries and youth is
0:01:35 > 0:01:39a real theme today, because the Commonwealth is young. 60% of the
0:01:39 > 0:01:48population under the age of 30. The order in which the flags are
0:01:48 > 0:01:55processed is a microcosm of history, a record of independence of the
0:01:55 > 0:02:00order of the countries joined the Commonwealth. You can see Britain at
0:02:00 > 0:02:05the front. At the back, the most recent joiners, Rwanda and
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Mozambique. Both countries have no historical ties to the British
0:02:08 > 0:02:19Empire. India's represented, of course. 1.3 million.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22course. 1.3 million. So is Nauru, just over 10,000 people. Gambia is
0:02:22 > 0:02:27here as well, be joining the Commonwealth after a period of
0:02:27 > 0:02:30suspension. Now, Her Majesty the Queen is head
0:02:30 > 0:02:34of the Commonwealth and she has been pivotal in its development and that
0:02:34 > 0:02:45is a commitment she first made 70 years ago.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48As I speak to you today from Cape Town, I am six thousand
0:02:48 > 0:02:54miles from the country where I was born.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56But I am certainly not 6000 miles from home.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03In 1947, Princess Elizabeth revealed her vision for the future of the
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Commonwealth. If we'll go forward together, we
0:03:07 > 0:03:13will be able to make the common wealth which we all loved so dearly
0:03:13 > 0:03:17and even more grand thing.More clean, more prosperous, more happy
0:03:17 > 0:03:23and a more powerful influence for good in the world.Over the past 70
0:03:23 > 0:03:29years, the Queen's hopes have been realised as it's grown. From eight
0:03:29 > 0:03:35to 53 independent countries across six continents, made up of 2.4
0:03:35 > 0:03:40billion people, totalling a third of the world's population. The reason
0:03:40 > 0:03:44for its growth is perhaps due to one of the Commonwealth's founding
0:03:44 > 0:03:48values, that all members are equal. From India, with the largest
0:03:48 > 0:03:54population, to the smallest, Nauru in the Pacific.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59The Queen has made more than 200 visits to member countries. Most
0:03:59 > 0:04:04recently to Malta for the last Commonwealth Heads of Government
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Meeting in 2015. Other members of the Royal family travelled the
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Commonwealth to promote its values, such as protecting the environment,
0:04:12 > 0:04:20raising awareness of climate change. It may literally mean the survival
0:04:20 > 0:04:23of their countries or the extinction.
0:04:23 > 0:04:30Highlighting the importance of young people. And increasing access to
0:04:30 > 0:04:35health and education.There a younger generation coming through
0:04:35 > 0:04:39who want to talk about it but there is still that stigma. So if us
0:04:39 > 0:04:43getting tested normalises and makes a difference, then job well done.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47These values will be at the heart of discussions in London next month,
0:04:47 > 0:04:54when the Queen will preside over her 24th heads of government meeting.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Sitting next to me in Westminster Abbey as someone who can give us the
0:04:58 > 0:05:03inside story on the Commonwealth and is even writing a book on it.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05The Daily Mail journalist Robert Hardman. What happens at these
0:05:05 > 0:05:10meetings?They are very unlike the average summit on the summit
0:05:10 > 0:05:15circuit. That is largely because they have a family feel. They have
0:05:15 > 0:05:19an intimacy that you just don't get at your average summit. That really
0:05:19 > 0:05:23comes down from the Queen herself. We are going to see that
0:05:23 > 0:05:27particularly busy because this is a summit that is going to be at home.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30It is going to be staged both at Buckingham Palace and Windsor
0:05:30 > 0:05:36Castle. It is going to have a very atmosphere.And there is something
0:05:36 > 0:05:39they have called the leader's retreat, it's not the sort of thing
0:05:39 > 0:05:45you would see at an EU summit.No, you certainly wouldn't get them
0:05:45 > 0:05:49wandering off in casual clothes, dispensing with spin doctors and
0:05:49 > 0:05:54minders and going into retreat. Some of them have even, one in Kuala
0:05:54 > 0:06:00Lumpur featured a karaoke, much to the terror of Mrs Thatcher. They do
0:06:00 > 0:06:06have this special atmosphere and this one will be at Windsor Castle.
0:06:06 > 0:06:17And Britain was a late substitute? Yes, the 20 South Commonwealth
0:06:17 > 0:06:24summit couldn't take place in the original location because of a
0:06:24 > 0:06:29natural phenomenon. That is why it will take place in Buckingham Palace
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and Windsor and why we will see so many of the Royal family here today.
0:06:32 > 0:06:39Theresa May, will be taking over as, because of her office, she will be a
0:06:39 > 0:06:42very important person at the summit coming up.Yes, this will be her
0:06:42 > 0:06:50first summit, her first host summit. Every year, the Commonwealth chooses
0:06:50 > 0:06:55a theme and this year the theme, which Theresa May has already talked
0:06:55 > 0:06:59about, is towards a common future. One of the initiative encourages
0:06:59 > 0:07:06communities to come together over a good lunch. My colleague Sonali Shah
0:07:06 > 0:07:11is with two people for whom food is a real way of life, Chetna Makan and
0:07:11 > 0:07:16and Ainsley Harriott. Yes, two good foodies. Chetna, most
0:07:16 > 0:07:21of us know you as a finalist from the great British I got in 2014 but
0:07:21 > 0:07:26we won't know how much food helped you at menu came to the UK from
0:07:26 > 0:07:31India all those years ago.Yes, it did. That is the beauty of it, a
0:07:31 > 0:07:34perfect way to break barriers and get people talking. I used to cook
0:07:34 > 0:07:37for my colleagues and neighbours and I found it really easy to connect
0:07:37 > 0:07:43with them through that.Ainslie, you are involved in the Commonwealth Big
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Lunch alongside Chetna. How can all of us get involved?Everyone can get
0:07:47 > 0:07:50involved because it brings communities together. The best thing
0:07:50 > 0:07:53to do is go online and get all your information but what the
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Commonwealth has done is created this wonderful opportunity for
0:07:55 > 0:08:01people around the globe, 2.5 billion people, to come together. We a party
0:08:01 > 0:08:06here on the June three of June. If everyone wants to get involved, 9.3
0:08:06 > 0:08:09million people got involved last year. For those of you that thing,
0:08:09 > 0:08:14why should I get involved? Do you realise 83% of people in Britain
0:08:14 > 0:08:18would not recognise their neighbours in a police line up? That is why it
0:08:18 > 0:08:21is so important. There is a lot of loneliness out there and people who
0:08:21 > 0:08:29are feeling isolated. This is a wonderful opportunity on the 3rd of
0:08:29 > 0:08:31June to bring all those people together, regardless of age,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34regardless of cultural background to stop it is about that whole diverse
0:08:34 > 0:08:37loving going on and we can do it through food.You have put together
0:08:37 > 0:08:42a recipe for it, what is your recipe?I have chosen the dish
0:08:42 > 0:08:46because it is a mix of vegetables and you eat it with bread, so the
0:08:46 > 0:08:51idea is to put it in a big bowl in the centre of the table and everyone
0:08:51 > 0:08:54can take in.One of my favourite dishes. Can we do it with some
0:08:54 > 0:08:58cheese on toast or a glass of wine if we need to?Of course you can.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02You can have a little macaroon and a cup of tea over the fence with your
0:09:02 > 0:09:05neighbour. It's about bringing people together, it really is. I
0:09:05 > 0:09:10would love to come to your house!So would I, so would I! Food, everyone
0:09:10 > 0:09:15thinks is part of the big moments in our lives but it is those pressures
0:09:15 > 0:09:21moments in between also. Thank you so much.
0:09:21 > 0:09:27Thank you. That is a great thought, those big lunch is coming up. That
0:09:27 > 0:09:30is, the Commonwealth Big Lunch one of a number of events leading up to
0:09:30 > 0:09:35the summit of the heads of government. Robert, another one is
0:09:35 > 0:09:39the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, which is also going on.That is
0:09:39 > 0:09:44right, Jeremy. We heard how food can bring people together. A few days
0:09:44 > 0:09:47ago at Buckingham Palace there was a remarkable event showing how fashion
0:09:47 > 0:09:53can bring people together. There were these amazing collections
0:09:53 > 0:09:58brought together under one roof, featuring top fashion designers from
0:09:58 > 0:10:04all over the Commonwealth. Also very small... We see the Duchess of
0:10:04 > 0:10:09Cambridge with Anna Wintour of Vogue.
0:10:09 > 0:10:16Big high street names, but at the same time very small little
0:10:16 > 0:10:19producers from other areas, Artisans and hand-woven crafts coming
0:10:19 > 0:10:22together. It represents what the Commonwealth is about, the very big
0:10:22 > 0:10:27and very small, with an emphasis on youth.Lots of support, we can see
0:10:27 > 0:10:31there, from the Royal family and celebrities as well.That is right.
0:10:31 > 0:10:37The Commonwealth does bring in VIPs and celebrities from all over the
0:10:37 > 0:10:39world. You see some here today as well. Other events coming up in the
0:10:39 > 0:10:46run up... We have the Queen's young leaders is another important strand
0:10:46 > 0:10:51to this Commonwealth story, another event that brings together young
0:10:51 > 0:10:57people.Youth is a big theme, the use of the people in the
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Commonwealth and this remarkable scheme that offers a package of
0:11:00 > 0:11:04training, mentoring and networking for people who get this award. They
0:11:04 > 0:11:09get this award from Her Majesty the Queen.Yes.Which must be a big
0:11:09 > 0:11:14thrill.There we see some of last year's recipients. A project very
0:11:14 > 0:11:18much driven by the Queen has. The idea is to find really inspirational
0:11:18 > 0:11:22young people across the Commonwealth who are already making a difference
0:11:22 > 0:11:26in their communities and who may well one day go on and run their
0:11:26 > 0:11:30countries. There we see last year's remarkable people. A young man from
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Bangladesh who had set out a first aid project that reached out to
0:11:34 > 0:11:38thousands of people in disaster areas. Everyone you talk to has an
0:11:38 > 0:11:41extraordinary story, and it has all been driven by the Queen. In this
0:11:41 > 0:11:47case, funded by her diamond Jubilee trust.Let's go back to Sonali Shah
0:11:47 > 0:11:53with two people taking part in today's service. Dr Andrew
0:11:53 > 0:11:58Bastawrous and Jaspreet Kaur. You are a guest speaker because he
0:11:58 > 0:12:02received funding from the Queen's trust, tell us about the focus of
0:12:02 > 0:12:06your work?Millions of people across the Commonwealth are needlessly
0:12:06 > 0:12:09blind, four in five who could be treated with simple treatments. Our
0:12:09 > 0:12:13mission is to change that by finding and linking them to the crack
0:12:13 > 0:12:18services.You believe they can be easily treated, things we take for
0:12:18 > 0:12:23granted in the western world?For the majority of people, including
0:12:23 > 0:12:26myself, a pair of glasses or a cataract operation which can be done
0:12:26 > 0:12:30in ten minutes for £10.Trying to eradicate this preventable blindness
0:12:30 > 0:12:33is an ambitious goal. You think a device attached to a mobile phone
0:12:33 > 0:12:38could really help.Show us that device. Yes, there's all sorts of
0:12:38 > 0:12:41new technologies and this is one possible way to contribute. By
0:12:41 > 0:12:45clicking this device onto a phone to enable someone to see inside the
0:12:45 > 0:12:49eye. A non-healthcare worker can identify someone in a remote
0:12:49 > 0:12:54setting, link them to services such as our programming Kenya, where
0:12:54 > 0:12:56teachers are finding people in schools and making sure they get
0:12:56 > 0:13:00treatment on a timely basis.You will be talking more about your work
0:13:00 > 0:13:02during the actual service so we look forward to hearing more about that.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08You will be performing your poem, the Moment, tell us about its
0:13:08 > 0:13:13message.It is a poem about humanity and togetherness, this idea of what
0:13:13 > 0:13:19we can do on an individual basis to help one another and to help society
0:13:19 > 0:13:22in general. I thought today's kind of the perfect place to share that
0:13:22 > 0:13:28message.I know you are such a huge believer that the spoken word can be
0:13:28 > 0:13:32such a powerful tool and almost not harnessed enough.Absolutely. I
0:13:32 > 0:13:35think the arts in general, the creative scene in general is
0:13:35 > 0:13:40something we can tap into more. What I do with poetry is it's an
0:13:40 > 0:13:44accessible way for people to talk about topics perhaps we don't talk
0:13:44 > 0:13:47about in other ways, and an accessible way for people to access
0:13:47 > 0:13:52those things. I hope that works today.You are in the middle of your
0:13:52 > 0:13:5612 month long honeymoon and this is part of it. Did you know that,
0:13:56 > 0:14:01Andrew? We know how important a day like this is to both of you.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06Absolutely. We have been travelling for six months so far. Honeymoon in,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09also working on humanitarian projects in countries across the
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Commonwealth as well, and then we fly out tomorrow morning to Cape
0:14:12 > 0:14:17Town to carry on the journey.Look forward to hearing both of your
0:14:17 > 0:14:22reflections during the service, good luck.
0:14:22 > 0:14:29Sonali Shah with two very impressive people. What we are going to see now
0:14:29 > 0:14:37is a procession by athletes. One of the big highlights of the
0:14:37 > 0:14:43Commonwealth is always going to be sport. It is one of those things
0:14:43 > 0:14:48that links a lot of countries, and the Commonwealth Games is coming up
0:14:48 > 0:14:55next month in April. We are seeing faith leaders arriving, as well.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05Faith leaders are arriving as well. The Commonwealth is a very diverse
0:15:05 > 0:15:12place. So highly appropriate that sick faith leaders will be year and
0:15:12 > 0:15:22we will hear them saying six prayer later on.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27-- six.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29I had guests arriving, you can see some distinctive headwear, religious
0:15:29 > 0:15:37symbols.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56I went for a walk around the Abbey just before the main events of the
0:15:56 > 0:16:01day started and there was a remarkable, relaxed atmosphere. A
0:16:01 > 0:16:09lot of young people, more than 700 young people are in the Abbey today.
0:16:09 > 0:16:15Coming from schools in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the North
0:16:15 > 0:16:20East, the North West, the Midlands. Scouts and youth groups including
0:16:20 > 0:16:27from Sri Lanka, Botswana, Singapore, South Africa. A lot of young people
0:16:27 > 0:16:37and that is not accidental. The theme of this event today includes a
0:16:37 > 0:16:45lot to do with young people. Robert? That is correct and right from the
0:16:45 > 0:16:49start the Queen has believed in the fact that young people are of the
0:16:49 > 0:16:57Commonwealth. 60% of them under 30. Nicola Sturgeon is also here today.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02Sitting next to the First Minister of Wales. Scotland has played an
0:17:02 > 0:17:09important part in the Commonwealth story. It held the last Commonwealth
0:17:09 > 0:17:14summit in Edinburgh and has hosted three Commonwealth Games. The last
0:17:14 > 0:17:21was in Glasgow. Jeremy Corbyn there, Norman Fowler put up Cabinet
0:17:21 > 0:17:25minister and important man in the House of Lords.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Today's service will feature some music performances, one of
0:17:28 > 0:17:30which will be from former One Direction member Liam Payne,
0:17:30 > 0:17:35who is with Sonali now.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Welcome to the Commonwealth Service. Tell us a bit more about the song
0:17:39 > 0:17:54you will perform today.Today I will be performing an appropriate
0:17:54 > 0:17:57be performing an appropriate song waiting for the world to change it
0:17:57 > 0:18:03up it has some important lyrics. It has and I think it is appropriate.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07As well as having so many fans, and we know how young the Commonwealth
0:18:07 > 0:18:12is, you have also been involved with the leaders programme.I went down
0:18:12 > 0:18:15to the presentation and it was so nice to see so many young people
0:18:15 > 0:18:23doing these amazing things across the nations. And that is coming from
0:18:23 > 0:18:27the use of that is a really beautiful thing.Well the very much
0:18:27 > 0:18:32look forward to hearing from you later.
0:18:32 > 0:18:40Not long now before the royal party start arriving. There is a very big
0:18:40 > 0:18:44turnout of senior members of the Royal Family this year. Of course to
0:18:44 > 0:18:48do with the fact that the Commonwealth Heads of Government
0:18:48 > 0:18:58Meeting will be held here in London. People are talking, getting ready
0:18:58 > 0:19:02for what is going to be a think an important day. There are of course
0:19:02 > 0:19:08is the Prime Minister to reason they.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16-- Theresa May.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21Very well-behaved children. And Pamela Stewart will take over the
0:19:21 > 0:19:28Commonwealth chair from the Prime Minister of Malta after the
0:19:28 > 0:19:39Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting here in London next month.
0:19:39 > 0:19:47I think we can see the Minister of health from Botswana. Botswanan is a
0:19:47 > 0:19:51country that is very important in the campaign against affordable
0:19:51 > 0:19:55blindness and we will be hearing more about that later in the
0:19:55 > 0:20:01service. It is the only country in the world that plans to screen all
0:20:01 > 0:20:10children for issues to do with their site.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14-- sight.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18The Royal Family now starting to arrive. The Countess of Wessex, a
0:20:18 > 0:20:23very active oil when it comes to the Commonwealth.Yes she has been key
0:20:23 > 0:20:30to that campaign on avoidable Linus. Vice patron of the diamond jubilee
0:20:30 > 0:20:34trust and she has been out looking at much of its work. She was in
0:20:34 > 0:20:39Bangladesh just a few months ago and she managed herself to diagnose a
0:20:39 > 0:20:47seven-month-old baby with a serious eye condition and that has now
0:20:47 > 0:20:54successfully intruded.The Duke of York just coming through the West
0:20:54 > 0:20:58door of the Abbey. He was recently in Australia, and he went to the
0:20:58 > 0:21:05Gold Coast whether Commonwealth Games is to be held next month.Yes
0:21:05 > 0:21:09and he will be holding his own event in conjunction with the summit. With
0:21:09 > 0:21:16young entrepreneurs, a special Commonwealth event. Earlier we had
0:21:16 > 0:21:20the Duchess of Gloucester coming in, the Duke of Gloucester earlier today
0:21:20 > 0:21:26and he is actually in Malawi having a Commonwealth bid lunch. The
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Princess Royal coming in behind the Duke of York, she is very key to a
0:21:30 > 0:21:37lot of what the Royal Family do in the Commonwealth. The Princess Royal
0:21:37 > 0:21:43was just last year in Ghana marking the 60th anniversary of their
0:21:43 > 0:21:48independence.And the lady in the blue suit, Baroness Scotland,
0:21:48 > 0:21:54Secretary General of the Commonwealth. As also lined up in
0:21:54 > 0:22:01that receiving line the Prime Minister of Malta. Doctor Joseph
0:22:01 > 0:22:08Muscat. He will be giving a reading later on.Talking there to the
0:22:08 > 0:22:14Queens cousin, Princess Alexandra. And behind it the Duchess of
0:22:14 > 0:22:30Gloucester I think. A very active participant in a lot of things.
0:22:30 > 0:22:36participant in a lot of things.Lord Howell of Guildford talking now.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41President of the Royal Commonwealth Society. These are some of the week
0:22:41 > 0:22:45movers inside the Commonwealth. Quite relaxed atmosphere as you can
0:22:45 > 0:22:59see. The Prince of Wales. I think he will be arriving now.
0:22:59 > 0:23:08will be arriving now.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving.
0:23:08 > 0:23:14Sporting his new haircut. The Duchess of course expecting her
0:23:14 > 0:23:17third child in April and will become fifth in line to the throne. As well
0:23:17 > 0:23:23as that there is Meghan Markle. A lot of attention will be on her
0:23:23 > 0:23:29today. Wearing that cream coat there with Prince Harry who she will marry
0:23:29 > 0:23:38at St George 's Chapel in Windsor in May. They're
0:23:41 > 0:23:46May. They're looking at dances and drummers from Ghana. Meghan Markle
0:23:46 > 0:23:52having a crash course in all things British. She has been all over the
0:23:52 > 0:23:57country with Prince Harry in recent weeks, to all parts of the United
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Kingdom. Today will be her first official engagement in the company
0:24:01 > 0:24:06of the Queen. And her first experience of a big state occasion
0:24:06 > 0:24:13at Westminster Abbey. The place where coronations and royal weddings
0:24:13 > 0:24:19have taken place. So somewhere that will feature a great deal in her
0:24:19 > 0:24:25married life.And I would imagine the Commonwealth is going to also
0:24:25 > 0:24:30feature pretty heavily with Prince had been dashed Prince Harry and
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Meghan Markle as well. She has already said that she looks forward
0:24:32 > 0:24:40to doing some visits.They have both spoken of the work they look forward
0:24:40 > 0:24:45to doing in the Commonwealth, as with all younger members of the
0:24:45 > 0:24:55Royal Family. The Duke of Cambridge as well, they visited Canada,
0:24:55 > 0:25:01Australia and New Zealand with their young children. And we'll be meeting
0:25:01 > 0:25:06the entire Commonwealth diplomatic corps tonight at Marlborough house.
0:25:06 > 0:25:12Thanks to the Queen ambassadors from the Commonwealth are not even called
0:25:12 > 0:25:15ambassadors but High Commissioners and they will all be invited tonight
0:25:15 > 0:25:20along with the Prince of Wales. Meghan Markle has said some of the
0:25:20 > 0:25:22campaigns she has already been involved with in the past have been
0:25:22 > 0:25:28in Commonwealth countries such as Rwanda. Fairly new member of the
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Commonwealth and of course India which has been in the Commonwealth
0:25:32 > 0:25:38for a long time.The great thing about Commonwealth, it spans all
0:25:38 > 0:25:46continents and all religious faiths. And that emphasis on use which I
0:25:46 > 0:25:49think we'll be on the minds of this younger generation of the Royal
0:25:49 > 0:25:54Family who I now doing a lot of that oversees work but once upon a time
0:25:54 > 0:26:06the Queen would have done.The Duke still speaking to Joseph Muscat and
0:26:06 > 0:26:12his wife, the Prime Minister of Malta. The director of the Royal
0:26:12 > 0:26:20Commonwealth Society there.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Commonwealth Society there. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have
0:26:23 > 0:26:26carried out overseas visits on behalf of the Queen including
0:26:26 > 0:26:36Commonwealth countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Australia and New Zealand.Waiting for the arrival of the Prince of
0:26:40 > 0:26:48Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Taking a look at those dancers from
0:26:48 > 0:26:59Ghana.Here they are. Environmental issues is something the Prince of
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Wales is passionate about and of course that is a big thing for the
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Commonwealth.Over the years the Commonwealth has reflected and very
0:27:05 > 0:27:09much applauded a lot of his initiatives to do with the
0:27:09 > 0:27:15environment. 24 Commonwealth nations are small island states and very
0:27:15 > 0:27:21vulnerable to environmental change. The Prince attuned to their
0:27:21 > 0:27:26concerns. He has visited 43 Commonwealth countries and most
0:27:26 > 0:27:33recently Malaysia and Antigua and Barbuda.He was out in Asia towards
0:27:33 > 0:27:40the end of last year and went to India as well on that tour. As ever
0:27:40 > 0:27:46very much representing the Queen, supporting her work and at the same
0:27:46 > 0:27:53time talking a lot about the core concerns of the Commonwealth, young
0:27:53 > 0:27:59people, environmental problems in the future.Her Majesty the Queen
0:27:59 > 0:28:08has arrived outside.
0:28:32 > 0:28:40FANFARE
0:28:52 > 0:28:58Fanfare from the state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry. The Queen
0:28:58 > 0:29:02entering Westminster Abbey. And from the beginning she has shown a huge
0:29:02 > 0:29:07commitment to the Commonwealth and she seems really to be enjoying
0:29:07 > 0:29:12herself already today.I think that the Queen you could say is the
0:29:12 > 0:29:16Commonwealth. Greeting people that she meets every year at this event.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21An event that she herself has created. She has not missed a
0:29:21 > 0:29:26service since 1986 and only then because she was on tour at the time
0:29:26 > 0:29:30for stop her first footstep abroad was in the heart of the Commonwealth
0:29:30 > 0:29:35when she went to Africa in 1947 with her father put up she has held this
0:29:35 > 0:29:40organisation together. Going from eight nations to what it is today,
0:29:40 > 0:29:4653. People will be well aware that if not for her this organisation
0:29:46 > 0:29:51might not even be here today.There is a quote from Winston Churchill
0:29:51 > 0:29:55when he was Prime Minister, she was already the Queen and he said the
0:29:55 > 0:30:00monarch is the magic link uniting are loosely bound but strongly
0:30:00 > 0:30:05interwoven Commonwealth. I think that has deepened over the years.I
0:30:05 > 0:30:16think so. It is often said that she is the group holding them together.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23They are here, next, the national anthem. The Grenadier Guards.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01# God save our gracious Queen.
0:31:01 > 0:31:07# Long live our noble Queen.
0:31:07 > 0:31:14# God save the Queen.
0:31:14 > 0:31:22# Send her victorious.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27# Happy and glorious.
0:31:27 > 0:31:35# Long to reign over us.
0:31:37 > 0:31:43# God save the Queen #.
0:31:43 > 0:31:52The processional hymn.
0:32:01 > 0:32:07# O praise ye the Lord!
0:32:07 > 0:32:11# Praise Him in the height.
0:32:11 > 0:32:18# Rejoice in His Word, ye angels of light.
0:32:18 > 0:32:25# Ye heavens, adore Him by whom ye were made.
0:32:25 > 0:32:33# And worship before Him in brightness arrayed.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38# O praise ye the Lord!
0:32:38 > 0:32:43# Praise Him upon earth.
0:32:43 > 0:32:51# In tuneful accord, ye sons of new birth.
0:32:51 > 0:32:59# Praise Him who hath brought you His grace from above.
0:33:00 > 0:33:08# Praise Him who hath taught you to sing of His love.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13# O praise ye the Lord!
0:33:13 > 0:33:17# All things that give sound.
0:33:17 > 0:33:25# Each jubilant chord re-echo around.
0:33:25 > 0:33:33# Loud organs, His glory forth tell in deep tone.
0:33:33 > 0:33:41# And sweet harp, the story of what He hath done.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47# O praise ye the Lord!
0:33:47 > 0:33:53# Thanksgiving and song.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55# To Him be outpoured all ages along!
0:34:00 > 0:34:07# For love in creation, for Heaven restored.
0:34:07 > 0:34:15# For grace of salvation, O praise ye the Lord!
0:34:21 > 0:34:29# O praise ye the Lord
0:35:57 > 0:36:00On behalf of the Dean and Chapter, I welcome you warmly to
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Westminster Abbey, for our annual celebration of the
0:36:02 > 0:36:03Commonwealth.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05This year we look together Towards a Common Future, in which
0:36:05 > 0:36:08all can flourish and become what we are in the care and
0:36:08 > 0:36:11keeping of almighty God.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16As we give thanks for our rich diversity and for
0:36:16 > 0:36:21our common humanity, let us pray together
0:36:21 > 0:36:23for peace and unity, and that we may
0:36:23 > 0:36:28offer one another mutual friendship and support.
0:36:28 > 0:36:33First, in the words of Jesus, let us pray for the coming of
0:36:33 > 0:36:36God's kingdom.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
0:36:40 > 0:36:44thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Give us this day our daily bread.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
0:36:50 > 0:36:54who trespass against us.
0:36:54 > 0:37:00And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
0:37:02 > 0:37:03for ever and ever.
0:37:03 > 0:37:10Amen.
0:37:15 > 0:37:29Now with their own special welcome, the London Maori choir.
0:37:32 > 0:37:40CONCH BLOWING.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50APPLAUSE
0:40:59 > 0:41:03The moment that you realise that true contentment can be found
0:41:03 > 0:41:09when you serve others, all other desires will seem so small
0:41:09 > 0:41:13The moment you see joy in another beings eyes
0:41:13 > 0:41:16because of your own selfless actions, life starts
0:41:16 > 0:41:22to make a lot more sense.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26The moment that you begin to act as the reflection of the visions
0:41:26 > 0:41:34you have for a better world, things will begin to change.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40The moment you recognise your responsibility
0:41:40 > 0:41:42for the betterment of others, you'll see such a beauty in life.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46The moment you recognise that you will make more of an impact
0:41:46 > 0:41:52by being righteous than always being right, rewards
0:41:52 > 0:41:59will come and fall into your lap.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01The moment you are more concerned about learning
0:42:01 > 0:42:03to love than to be loved, positive emotions of oceanic
0:42:03 > 0:42:11depths will engulf you.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18The moment you are more concerned about understanding others
0:42:18 > 0:42:26than being understood, your mind will truly begin to learn.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33The moment that we realise that our enemies are not
0:42:33 > 0:42:35physical flesh and blood yet they are our thoughts,
0:42:35 > 0:42:39peace will begin on conquer.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41The moment we overcome your inner enemies
0:42:41 > 0:42:48rather than deflecting on others, meriment will come find you.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52The moment that you learn how to listen rather than always
0:42:52 > 0:42:55try to be heard, you will hear languages you thought your
0:42:55 > 0:43:03mind couldn't fathom.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06The moment you realise that life will always be about mastering
0:43:06 > 0:43:08and relearning and conquering and climbing, your journey
0:43:08 > 0:43:12will begin to feel so smooth.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14The moment you allow yourself to believe that we can change this
0:43:14 > 0:43:19world for the better, we will do it.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Because life is but these moments where we learn,
0:43:22 > 0:43:25change, grow and give.
0:43:25 > 0:43:30So go live your moments.
0:43:30 > 0:43:36Thank you.
0:43:36 > 0:43:42Inspiring words from Jaspreet Kaur, a well deserved applause. Next, a
0:43:42 > 0:43:49modern choral anthem.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45By the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think
0:48:45 > 0:48:49of yourself more highly than you ought to think,
0:48:49 > 0:48:52but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure
0:48:52 > 0:48:57of faith that God has assigned.
0:48:57 > 0:49:03For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members
0:49:03 > 0:49:06have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body
0:49:06 > 0:49:14in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
0:49:14 > 0:49:20We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy,
0:49:20 > 0:49:25in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher,
0:49:25 > 0:49:30in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver,
0:49:30 > 0:49:36in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate,
0:49:36 > 0:49:41in cheerfulness.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast
0:49:45 > 0:49:49to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one
0:49:49 > 0:49:54another in showing honour.
0:49:54 > 0:50:00Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
0:50:00 > 0:50:08Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend
0:50:12 > 0:50:20hospitality to strangers.
0:50:22 > 0:50:30Just below the monument to Isaac Newton now Liam Payne is going to
0:50:30 > 0:50:35sing.
0:50:40 > 0:50:46sing. Waiting on the World to Change.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48# Me and all my friends.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50# So misunderstood.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53# They say we stand for nothing.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57# And there's no way we ever could.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59# Now we see everything that's going wrong.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03# With the world and those who lead it.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06# We just feel like we don't have the means.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08# To rise above and beat it.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10# So we keep waiting.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13# Waiting on the world to change.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16# We keep on waiting.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20# Waiting on the world to change.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22# It's hard to beat the system.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25# When we're standing at a distance.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28# So we keep waiting.
0:51:28 > 0:51:32# Waiting on the world to change.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34# Now if we had the power.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38# To bring our neighbours home from war.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40# They would have never missed a Christmas.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44# No more ribbons on their door.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47# And when you trust your television.
0:51:47 > 0:51:49# What you get is what you got.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53# Cos when they own the information.
0:51:53 > 0:51:55# Oh they can bend it all they want.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58# That's why we're waiting.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01# Waiting on the world to change.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03# We keep on waiting.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07# Waiting on the world to change.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11# It's not that we don't care.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13# We just know that the fight ain't fair.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15# So we keep on waiting.
0:52:15 > 0:52:23# Waiting on the world to change.
0:52:23 > 0:52:29# Mmm.
0:52:29 > 0:52:30# Ooooo.
0:52:30 > 0:52:35# Yeah.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38# Ooooo.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40# Ooooooo.
0:52:40 > 0:52:41# Ooooo.
0:52:41 > 0:52:46# Yeah.
0:52:46 > 0:52:47# That's why we're waiting.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50# Waiting on the world to change.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53# We keep on waiting.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56# Waiting on the world to change.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59# One day our generation.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02# Is gonna rule the population.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05# So we keep on waiting.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08# Waiting on the world to change.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11# Waiting on the world to change.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15# Waiting on the world to change.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18# Waiting on the world to change.
0:53:18 > 0:53:25#.
0:53:25 > 0:53:33APPLAUSE
0:53:36 > 0:53:39Mama Philip was 80 years old.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42When I first met her in Kenya she had been blind for 20 years,
0:53:42 > 0:53:44and was dependent on her son Philip.
0:53:44 > 0:53:46Living an hour's walk from the nearest road,
0:53:46 > 0:53:50she was unable to walk or cook for herself.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53Her family thought she had dementia.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56When people lose their eyesight, they often lose their independence,
0:53:56 > 0:53:58their dignity, and their capacity to be a productive
0:53:58 > 0:54:02member of the community.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04A healthcare worker examined Mama Philip
0:54:04 > 0:54:07and referred her to our clinic.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10When I examined her I realised her problem was not dementia -
0:54:10 > 0:54:12it was cataract, a curable condition.
0:54:12 > 0:54:17And yet, she had lost two decades of her life.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20Sadly her story is not unique.
0:54:20 > 0:54:2285 Million people across the Commonwealth are blind
0:54:22 > 0:54:29or have very poor sight.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31Four in five unnecessarily so, like Mama Philip
0:54:31 > 0:54:32they have a treatable condition.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34I could have been one of them.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37I was diagnosed with severe visual impairment at the age of 12,
0:54:37 > 0:54:41but I had access to simple treatment, a pair of glasses.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44I'll never forget the moment I tried them on.
0:54:44 > 0:54:51For the first time, I saw leaves on trees.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53I saw stars in the night sky.
0:54:53 > 0:54:54It was breath-taking.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56What else had I been missing?
0:54:56 > 0:54:58It turned out a lot.
0:54:58 > 0:55:00With that simple pair of glasses my education,
0:55:00 > 0:55:04social life and hopes for the future changed dramatically, in fact,
0:55:04 > 0:55:08the entire trajectory of my life changed.
0:55:08 > 0:55:11I knew from a young age that the opportunities
0:55:11 > 0:55:14I had were not universal.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17It ignited a fire in me, which led me to become a doctor,
0:55:17 > 0:55:19then an eye surgeon.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23In 2012 I left my role in the NHS and with my wife and our baby son
0:55:23 > 0:55:27we moved to Kenya to set up 100 eye clinics.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29It was tough.
0:55:29 > 0:55:33We'd work day and night examining and treating everyone we could,
0:55:33 > 0:55:36but it soon became clear it would never be enough.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39Something needed to change.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43With our team in Kenya, we began building smartphone apps
0:55:43 > 0:55:46and devices that made it possible for a non-specialist
0:55:46 > 0:55:48to measure someone's vision, see inside their eye and connect
0:55:48 > 0:55:55them to the right services.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58Our first trial saw 25 teachers screen 21,000 children,
0:55:58 > 0:56:00identifying 900 with visual impairment in just 9 days.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03This work was replicated and refined in India and then in Botswana,
0:56:03 > 0:56:07which is now set to screen and treat every school child in the country
0:56:07 > 0:56:11by 2020 - a world first.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14An entire generation of school children will have
0:56:14 > 0:56:19access to good eye health and all the opportunities it brings.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21Advances in technology, treatment and public
0:56:21 > 0:56:23health mean that for most, poor vision and blindness no longer
0:56:23 > 0:56:27need to be a life sentence.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30For the first time in human history, it is within our power to eliminate
0:56:30 > 0:56:35avoidable blindness and poor vision, for everybody, everywhere.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38Every country in the Commonwealth has the opportunity to transform
0:56:38 > 0:56:40their citizens' eye health, in a matter of years,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43not generations.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46But no country can do this alone.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48Our work wouldn't be possible without collaboration
0:56:48 > 0:56:50from our friends and partners in Kenya, India,
0:56:50 > 0:56:52Botswana and beyond.
0:56:52 > 0:56:54That is why the Commonwealth is so important -
0:56:54 > 0:56:57we have a shared history, but more importantly
0:56:57 > 0:56:59we have a shared future.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02By working together, we can make that future better
0:57:02 > 0:57:05for millions of citizens across the Commonwealth,
0:57:05 > 0:57:07and across the world.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09At a time where there is such focus on division,
0:57:09 > 0:57:12vision can unite all of us.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15That's why, inspired by the leadership shown in Botswana
0:57:15 > 0:57:19and by the commitment of many others, leading eye health
0:57:19 > 0:57:21organisations and banks are establishing a $1
0:57:21 > 0:57:25Billion Catalyst Fund to enable all Commonwealth countries to move
0:57:25 > 0:57:30towards universal eye health.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33The Commonwealth can be an example to the world of what is possible
0:57:33 > 0:57:36when we unite around a cause.
0:57:36 > 0:57:38When we do, we will hear more and more stories
0:57:38 > 0:57:40like that of Mama Philip, the lady who'd been
0:57:40 > 0:57:43blind for 20 years.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46Her surgery was a success.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48She looked years younger, and was no longer displaying
0:57:48 > 0:57:51any signs of dementia.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53Later that day we took her home.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57We watched the sheer wonder as she took in her surroundings,
0:57:57 > 0:58:04then the anticipation to see faces that had become voices,
0:58:04 > 0:58:07as we arrived,
0:58:07 > 0:58:09a man was stood at her door, expectantly.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12After what seemed like an eternity, she looked intensely at a scene that
0:58:12 > 0:58:14looked so familiar yet different and eventually asked, "Philip,
0:58:14 > 0:58:20my son, is that you?"
0:58:20 > 0:58:24Moments later they embraced and the community celebrated.
0:58:24 > 0:58:32We can be that community.
0:58:35 > 0:58:42More music now from the Portsmouth gospel choir.
0:58:50 > 0:58:52# Don't trouble the water.
0:58:52 > 0:58:54# Leave it alone.
0:58:54 > 0:58:55# Why don't you.
0:58:55 > 0:58:56# Why don't you.
0:58:56 > 0:59:00# Let it be.
0:59:00 > 0:59:02# Still waters run deep.
0:59:02 > 0:59:05# Yes they do.
0:59:05 > 0:59:06# Oh.
0:59:06 > 0:59:14# Yes.
0:59:14 > 0:59:22# Don't trouble the water.
0:59:31 > 0:59:39# Oh the troubled water.
0:59:43 > 0:59:45# I'm on your side.
0:59:45 > 0:59:46# When times get rough.
0:59:46 > 0:59:47# And friends just can't be found.
0:59:47 > 0:59:49# Like a bridge.
0:59:49 > 0:59:51# Like a bridge.
0:59:51 > 0:59:53# Just like a bridge over troubled waters.
0:59:53 > 0:59:56# I will lay me down.
0:59:56 > 0:59:58# Like a bridge.
0:59:58 > 1:00:02# Like a bridge.
1:00:02 > 1:00:05# Just like a bridge over troubled waters.
1:00:05 > 1:00:08# I'm gonna lay me down, me down.
1:00:08 > 1:00:09# Don't trouble the water.
1:00:09 > 1:00:12# Leave it alone.
1:00:12 > 1:00:13# Why don't you.
1:00:13 > 1:00:14# Why don't you.
1:00:14 > 1:00:16# Let it be.
1:00:16 > 1:00:18# Still waters run deep.
1:00:18 > 1:00:21# Yes they do.
1:00:21 > 1:00:22# Oh.
1:00:22 > 1:00:30# Yes.
1:00:35 > 1:00:43# Don't trouble the water.
1:00:45 > 1:00:49# Still waters run deep.
1:00:49 > 1:00:57# Oooo.
1:01:06 > 1:01:14# Troubled water.
1:01:16 > 1:01:21# Ahh.
1:01:21 > 1:01:23# Troubled water.
1:01:23 > 1:01:28# Ahh.
1:01:28 > 1:01:36# Don't trouble the water.
1:01:49 > 1:01:51# Don't trouble the water.
1:01:51 > 1:01:52# Leave it alone.
1:01:52 > 1:01:53# Why don't you.
1:01:53 > 1:01:54# Why don't you.
1:01:54 > 1:01:55# Let it be.
1:01:55 > 1:01:57# Still waters run deep.
1:01:57 > 1:01:57# Yes they do.
1:01:57 > 1:01:59# Oh.
1:01:59 > 1:02:04# Yes.
1:02:04 > 1:02:07# Yes they do.
1:02:07 > 1:02:08# Oh.
1:02:08 > 1:02:10# Yes.
1:02:10 > 1:02:12# Yes they do.
1:02:12 > 1:02:13# Oh.
1:02:13 > 1:02:21# Yes.
1:02:28 > 1:02:35From that brilliant performance to a much more traditional hymn, Lord Of
1:02:35 > 1:02:41All Hopefulness.
1:02:43 > 1:02:46# Lord of all hopefulness.
1:02:46 > 1:02:52# Lord of all joy.
1:02:52 > 1:02:59# Whose trust ever childlike no cares could destroy.
1:02:59 > 1:03:05# Be there at our waking and give us we pray.
1:03:05 > 1:03:09# Your bliss in our hearts Lord.
1:03:09 > 1:03:17# At the break of the day.
1:03:17 > 1:03:21# Lord of all eagerness
1:03:21 > 1:03:24# Lord of all faith
1:03:24 > 1:03:32# Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe
1:03:32 > 1:03:40# Be there at our labours and give us we pray
1:03:40 > 1:03:46# Your strength in our hearts Lord
1:03:46 > 1:03:52# At the noon of the day
1:03:52 > 1:03:54# Lord of all kindliness
1:03:54 > 1:03:59# Lord of all grace
1:03:59 > 1:04:03# Your hands swift to welcome
1:04:03 > 1:04:08# Your arms to embrace
1:04:08 > 1:04:12# Be there at our homing and give us we pray
1:04:12 > 1:04:20# Your love in our hearts Lord
1:04:20 > 1:04:23# At the eve of the day
1:04:23 > 1:04:26# Lord of all gentleness
1:04:26 > 1:04:33# Lord of all calm
1:04:33 > 1:04:41# Whose voice is contentment whose presence is balm
1:04:43 > 1:04:48# Be there at our sleeping and give us we pray
1:04:48 > 1:04:56# Your peace in our hearts Lord
1:04:56 > 1:05:04# At the end of the day #.
1:05:14 > 1:05:21Prayers now from six prayer leaders, six different faiths.
1:05:21 > 1:05:25Gracious God, giver of real hope and true peace; draw us
1:05:25 > 1:05:31all, in our wonderful diversity of culture, language, and
1:05:31 > 1:05:33custom, deeper into your good purposes for the whole
1:05:33 > 1:05:41of your creation.
1:05:43 > 1:05:45Help and strengthen us by your Holy Spirit, as we desire
1:05:45 > 1:05:48and commit ourselves to protect and care for this fragile
1:05:48 > 1:05:51planet and each other, and as we seek a common future
1:05:51 > 1:05:55in which mercy and justice reign and our world resembles more
1:05:55 > 1:06:02truly your kingdom of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:06:02 > 1:06:05Amen.
1:06:17 > 1:06:20O Thou kind Lord!
1:06:20 > 1:06:21Thou hast created all humanity from the
1:06:21 > 1:06:25same stock.
1:06:25 > 1:06:29Thou hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household.
1:06:29 > 1:06:33In thy holy presence they are all thy servants,
1:06:33 > 1:06:36and all mankind are sheltered beneath thy tabernacle;
1:06:36 > 1:06:40all have gathered together at thy table of bounty; all are
1:06:40 > 1:06:45illumined through the light of thy providence.
1:06:45 > 1:06:49Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and faculties,
1:06:49 > 1:06:55and all are submerged in the ocean of thy mercy.
1:06:55 > 1:06:59O thou kind Lord!
1:06:59 > 1:07:04Unite all.
1:07:04 > 1:07:07Let the religions agree and make the nations one,
1:07:07 > 1:07:10so that they may see each other as one family and the whole
1:07:10 > 1:07:11earth as one home.
1:07:11 > 1:07:18May they all live together in perfect harmony.
1:07:27 > 1:07:35Eternal God, we pray for the coming of the day when all your
1:07:37 > 1:07:39children will live together in peace and friendship; when oppression,
1:07:39 > 1:07:42discrimination, and prejudice will be relics of the past.
1:07:42 > 1:07:47May that day come soon: when all men and women
1:07:47 > 1:07:50will know and understand that they are brothers and sisters,
1:07:50 > 1:07:52and be united in humble reverence before you, and in mutual
1:07:52 > 1:08:00love and respect.
1:08:03 > 1:08:08'How good it is, and how pleasant, when sisters and brothers
1:08:08 > 1:08:11live together in unity!'
1:08:29 > 1:08:32There are many prophets and many religions, but God is one.
1:08:32 > 1:08:40There are many countries, but the world is one.
1:08:40 > 1:08:42There are many races and ethnicities, but humanity is one.
1:08:42 > 1:08:46There are men and women, but they are equal
1:08:46 > 1:08:53as both can think good, speak good and do good.
1:08:53 > 1:08:59We must all strive to improve our world and overcome evil.
1:08:59 > 1:09:05Today is better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better
1:09:05 > 1:09:13than today, because of our cumulative goodness.
1:09:17 > 1:09:19And good deeds.
1:09:19 > 1:09:21God creates.
1:09:21 > 1:09:24As we are all children of God, our cumulative goodness
1:09:24 > 1:09:28constantly increases the power of God.
1:09:28 > 1:09:32Evil only destroys; it cannot create.
1:09:32 > 1:09:36Therefore, it is finite and will come to
1:09:36 > 1:09:44an end one day.
1:09:52 > 1:09:53O Lord, you are peace.
1:09:53 > 1:09:55From you is peace.
1:09:55 > 1:09:57You are blessed.
1:09:57 > 1:10:04O Sustainer, you are most high.
1:10:04 > 1:10:06O one of majesty and nobility, you created us from one
1:10:06 > 1:10:12man and one woman.
1:10:12 > 1:10:15Had it been your will you would have made us
1:10:15 > 1:10:18all the same, but you made us into nations and tribes
1:10:18 > 1:10:22so that we may know each other.
1:10:22 > 1:10:25O magnificent Creator; enable us to respect and celebrate
1:10:25 > 1:10:33the diversity you have created.
1:10:34 > 1:10:37Join together all our hearts as one; free us from fear,
1:10:37 > 1:10:44hunger, disease, and war.
1:10:44 > 1:10:47O loving Creator; we ask you to answer our prayer through your
1:10:47 > 1:10:55grace and your mercy, amin.
1:11:05 > 1:11:08Almighty God, we pray for those who face challenges
1:11:08 > 1:11:15across the Commonwealth, and for a safe and prosperous
1:11:15 > 1:11:18future that provides hope, especially for its young people.
1:11:18 > 1:11:21In the face of these challenges, we pray for the courage to entrust
1:11:21 > 1:11:24ourselves into your faithful hands, knowing that this is our
1:11:24 > 1:11:31most secure place.
1:11:31 > 1:11:33As we gather to pray for the shared vision
1:11:33 > 1:11:36of our diverse family, we thank you for our
1:11:36 > 1:11:38Commonwealth under the faithful stewardship of Her Majesty
1:11:38 > 1:11:46The Queen.
1:11:46 > 1:11:48May she, The Royal Family, and all who share in
1:11:48 > 1:11:51this responsibility, be guided by you, and be rewarded for
1:11:51 > 1:11:59their steadfastness and commitment.
1:15:34 > 1:15:37Let us now stand to pledge ourselves afresh
1:15:37 > 1:15:45to uphold and serve the values and fellowship of the Commonwealth.
1:15:45 > 1:15:53We affirm that every person possesses unique worth and dignity.
1:15:53 > 1:15:57We affirm our respect for nature, and that we will be stewards
1:15:57 > 1:16:05of the earth by caring for every part of it, and for it as a whole.
1:16:07 > 1:16:09We affirm our belief in justice for everyone, and peace
1:16:09 > 1:16:16between peoples and nations.
1:16:16 > 1:16:20Joining together in kinship and affinity as members of one
1:16:20 > 1:16:23worldwide Commonwealth family, we acknowledge our shared
1:16:23 > 1:16:28inheritances, and celebrate the goodwill and mutual respect
1:16:28 > 1:16:31which inspire us to work with one another towards a common
1:16:31 > 1:16:34future that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous,
1:16:34 > 1:16:42and more sustainable for the good of all.
1:16:54 > 1:16:57ALL: We affirm our belief in the Commonwealth as a force
1:16:57 > 1:16:59for good in the world and pledge ourselves to its service,
1:16:59 > 1:17:07now and for the future.
1:17:17 > 1:17:23# Guide me O Thou great Redeemer
1:17:23 > 1:17:29# Pilgrim through this barren land
1:17:29 > 1:17:34# I am weak but Thou art mighty
1:17:34 > 1:17:40# Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand
1:17:40 > 1:17:44# Bread of heaven
1:17:44 > 1:17:49# Bread of heaven
1:17:49 > 1:17:52# Feed me till I want no more!
1:17:52 > 1:17:55# Want no more
1:17:55 > 1:18:03# Feed me till I want no more!
1:18:09 > 1:18:12# Open now the crystal fountain
1:18:12 > 1:18:15# Whence the healing stream doth flow
1:18:15 > 1:18:20# Let the fire and cloudy pillar
1:18:20 > 1:18:28# Lead me all my journey through
1:18:28 > 1:18:34# Strong Deliv'rer, strong Deliv'rer
1:18:34 > 1:18:38# Be Thou still my Strength and Shield!
1:18:38 > 1:18:41# Strength and shield
1:18:41 > 1:18:49# Be Thou still my Strength and Shield!
1:18:51 > 1:18:56# When I tread the verge of Jordan
1:18:56 > 1:19:04# Bid my anxious fears subside
1:19:05 > 1:19:09# Death of death and hell's Destruction
1:19:09 > 1:19:16# Land me safe on Canaan's side
1:19:16 > 1:19:19# Songs of praises
1:19:19 > 1:19:23# Songs of praises
1:19:23 > 1:19:27# I will ever give to Thee!
1:19:27 > 1:19:32# Give to thee
1:19:32 > 1:19:40# I will ever give to Thee!
1:19:43 > 1:19:49#.
1:19:49 > 1:19:54God grant to the living grace; to the departed rest; to the
1:19:54 > 1:20:01Church, The Queen, the Commonwealth, and all mankind, peace
1:20:01 > 1:20:08and concord; and to us sinners life everlasting: and the blessing of God
1:20:08 > 1:20:10Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the
1:20:10 > 1:20:15Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
1:20:15 > 1:20:23Amen.
1:20:51 > 1:20:59The service is now ending up another Commonwealth Day service. Shortly
1:20:59 > 1:21:05the Royal party will be moving slowly towards the doors. Robert is
1:21:05 > 1:21:14with me. It seemed to me to be a big day for the Queen in her calendar.I
1:21:14 > 1:21:17think she will have loved every minute of the this is an event that
1:21:17 > 1:21:24she created herself. It used to be called observant but now it is
1:21:24 > 1:21:30celebration and that came true in the music and the atmosphere. Many
1:21:30 > 1:21:34of those small moments that lifted it.We had some contrasts and a bit
1:21:34 > 1:21:40of fun as well.There's always a bit of fun in this event, quite unlike
1:21:40 > 1:21:44any other held in Westminster Abbey or indeed any cathedral in the UK.
1:21:44 > 1:21:50It is why that this event is unique. Part of the fact is there are so
1:21:50 > 1:21:58many children, more than 700. We saw someone smiling, or even yawning.
1:21:58 > 1:22:01You do not know what children are going to do but that is part of the
1:22:01 > 1:22:07fun of it. And the Queen likes to have a young congregation. She does
1:22:07 > 1:22:14not want the full state occasion.As ever Queen on this day has issued a
1:22:14 > 1:22:20message. Some important points from that include the Queen saying shared
1:22:20 > 1:22:24inheritance help but to overcome difference. Of course there has been
1:22:24 > 1:22:30quite a bit of difference in the Commonwealth but we do have things
1:22:30 > 1:22:35in common so it is diversity rather than division. And she also spoke of
1:22:35 > 1:22:38the positive potential friendly rivalry and of course that will be
1:22:38 > 1:22:45happening in Australia next month. Absolutely. April we have the
1:22:45 > 1:22:48Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth summit all actor back.
1:22:48 > 1:22:55And Australia is going to be a fabulous games. The last ones took
1:22:55 > 1:23:04place in Glasgow in 2014, a magnificent games. In 2002 we have
1:23:04 > 1:23:09brilliant games in Manchester. That really convinced the International
1:23:09 > 1:23:15Olympic Committee that the UK could put on an Olympics. So the
1:23:15 > 1:23:18Commonwealth Games have a great future both here and in Australia.
1:23:18 > 1:23:25Now the Prince of Wales will be going over to open the games, a bit
1:23:25 > 1:23:29far for the Queen these days. But there has been talk about Prince
1:23:29 > 1:23:35Charles becoming head of the Commonwealth when his time comes.
1:23:35 > 1:23:39Well the headship of the Commonwealth is not hereditary or
1:23:39 > 1:23:44automatic, it never has been. It is down to the heads of government.
1:23:44 > 1:23:49They effectively endorsed the Queen as head of the Commonwealth and it
1:23:49 > 1:23:53will be down to them but frankly there is no one better placed to
1:23:53 > 1:23:57stand in the Queen on occasions like the opening of the Commonwealth
1:23:57 > 1:24:03Games. With the exception of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh who
1:24:03 > 1:24:07sadly cannot be here today although I'm sure he will be watching on
1:24:07 > 1:24:12television. But apart from them no one knows the Commonwealth like the
1:24:12 > 1:24:15Prince of Wales. All the leaders I have spoken to or all of the opinion
1:24:15 > 1:24:23that he is the perfect man to step in.The Queen looking very happy and
1:24:23 > 1:24:28now meeting some of those people who took part in the service. Like Dr
1:24:28 > 1:24:33Andrew Bastawrous, and he is the man who is trying to do all that he can
1:24:33 > 1:24:41to eradicate unnecessary blindness. And that is Jaspreet Kaur who
1:24:41 > 1:24:47performed her poem and the message of that was that small changes can
1:24:47 > 1:24:57bring on big differences.
1:25:06 > 1:25:16Esther Jessup, the honorary president of that Maori choir. She
1:25:16 > 1:25:23was also singing. And of course Liam Payne who performed during the
1:25:23 > 1:25:33service.
1:25:34 > 1:25:39Outside London beckons. A big month and a half of Commonwealth activity
1:25:39 > 1:25:50coming up. The 11-year-old posy bearer for the Queen. From the
1:25:50 > 1:25:55Westminster Bangladeshi Association. She did not have far to come, local
1:25:55 > 1:26:00girl.
1:26:00 > 1:26:08girl. A few of the ladies have their flowers.
1:26:09 > 1:26:14flowers. The Queen has had broad smile on her face through all of
1:26:14 > 1:26:20this. The younger generation of the Royal Family as well speaking to
1:26:20 > 1:26:26those who took part in the service. It is going to the remarkable few
1:26:26 > 1:26:29weeks, not just for the Commonwealth of the Royal Family as well. We have
1:26:29 > 1:26:33the Commonwealth Games, the Commonwealth summit and also a royal
1:26:33 > 1:26:41baby and Royal Wedding. It reminds me of the summer of 2012 and the
1:26:41 > 1:26:46Diamond Jubilee. It has been a very special day for the Queen to have
1:26:46 > 1:26:49all her family here at this event and in many ways it kick-starts what
1:26:49 > 1:26:57will be a remarkable few royal weeks.The choir there who has ever
1:26:57 > 1:27:02did a fabulous job. And behind them the flag bearers of all the
1:27:02 > 1:27:06Commonwealth countries. A lot of chatter still going on inside the
1:27:06 > 1:27:10Abbey. The Duchess of Cambridge speaking to Liam Payne. I wonder
1:27:10 > 1:27:21what they are talking about. There they are outside.
1:27:24 > 1:27:28It is not the end of things for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, since
1:27:28 > 1:27:33Harry and Meghan Markle, because they are going to be meeting some
1:27:33 > 1:27:38schoolchildren next. In spite of that rainfall I think everyone is
1:27:38 > 1:27:44leaving with a touch of spring about them.
1:27:44 > 1:27:46This wasn't a solemn state occasion of the kind
1:27:46 > 1:27:47that Westminster Abbey has witnessed for centuries.
1:27:47 > 1:27:50It was a dignified celebration of an association of very different
1:27:50 > 1:27:51states.
1:27:51 > 1:27:52And that's appropriate.
1:27:52 > 1:27:54The Commonwealth's strength is its diversity.
1:27:54 > 1:27:57Some of that will be on display in a couple of weeks when
1:27:57 > 1:27:58the Commonwealth Games open in Australia.
1:27:58 > 1:28:04After that Commonwealth heads of government meet here in London.
1:28:04 > 1:28:08Those are probably its best known set piece events.
1:28:08 > 1:28:11But it needs to be about more than sport and summits.
1:28:11 > 1:28:14If the Commonwealth's going to prosper, it needs to agree
1:28:14 > 1:28:17shared objectives - and then use the weight of more than one
1:28:17 > 1:28:25third of the world's population to make this planet better.
1:28:25 > 1:28:28After all, at a time when the world is an uncertain place,
1:28:28 > 1:28:36it's good to have friends.