Catherine and William to join forces with King and Queen in just days as a united monarchy

Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 03/03/2026

- 16:31

Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh will not be present at the service

Catherine, The Princess of Wales and Prince William will join forces with King Charles and Queen Camilla in just days as a united monarchy.

The King and Queen will lead senior members of the Royal Family at Westminster Abbey next Monday for the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration.


Their Majesties will be accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales, marking a significant gathering of working royals for the occasion.

Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, are also confirmed to attend, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Catherine, William, King and Queen

Catherine and William to join forces with King and Queen in just days as a united monarchy

|

GETTY

A congregation of 1,800 people will fill the historic abbey for the event, which this year takes its inspiration from the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting theme focusing on accelerating partnerships and investment.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh will not be present at the service, as the couple are expected to attend the Winter Paralympics in Milan.

The ceremony celebrates the Commonwealth of Nations, a grouping of 56 independent countries bound together by principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter.

These shared values encompass commitments to democracy, human rights, rule of law and equality, serving the organisation's 2.7 billion citizens worldwide.

Catherine, William, King and Queen

Catherine, William, the King and the Queen at the Commonwealth Day Service in 2022

|

GETTY

The Royal Commonwealth Society organises the annual service, bringing together diplomatic representatives, young people and prominent figures from creative industries to demonstrate the Commonwealth's strength through its unified yet diverse membership.

The service will showcase several significant artistic moments, including the debut performance of the Commonwealth Symphony, a new work by composer Rekesh Chauhan.

A specially commissioned dance piece will bring together students from the Royal Ballet School with performers from Sapnay Entertainments Ltd., fusing classical ballet with Bollywood styles.

This collaboration represents what organisers describe as a powerful expression of cross-cultural partnership, embodying the theme of collaboration that defines the modern Commonwealth.

Catherine and William

Catherine and William pictured attending the event last year

|

GETTY

Princess Anne

Princess Anne pictured at the event in 2018

|

GETTY

The artistic programme reflects the service's broader aim of celebrating how the organisation's diverse voices can work together in common purpose.

Geri Halliwell-Horner, serving as a Royal Commonwealth Society Ambassador, will deliver an address during the proceedings.

Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse will offer a reflection, while Selina Tusitala Marsh, who holds the position of inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate, will present a poem.

Musical entertainment will extend beyond the symphony premiere, with performances from a Scottish Ceilidh band and the Melodians Steel Drum Orchestra adding to the multicultural programme.

Further readings and reflections from notable guests will complete the service, which the Royal Commonwealth Society delivers as one of the highlights of the Commonwealth calendar.