Commonwealth Day is one of those occasions that the Windsors never miss. Every year, the royal family gathers at Westminster Abbey for a service that celebrates the bonds between the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, and this year was no exception.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were among the last to arrive and were greeted by the Dean of Westminster and by Prince William and Princess Kate, who were already waiting at the entrance.
Also present were Princess Anne, her husband Timothy Laurence, and the Dukes of Gloucester. It was the usual family gathering, but with more layers than usual.
The Commonwealth Day Surprise
What no one expected was to see Albert of Monaco among the attendees. Monaco is not a member of the Commonwealth, so his presence was a clear exception to the usual protocol, which generally does not include foreign dignitaries from outside the organization.
For Albert, this meant meeting Charles and Camilla at a public event for the first time since the 2023 coronation.
Camilla and Princess Anne’s outfits
In terms of style, Camilla opted for a red wool crepe coat by Fiona Clare, a hat by Philip Treacy, and a diamond palm leaf brooch that once belonged to the Queen Mother. The brooch’s design is reminiscent of the paisley pattern, historically associated with Scotland.
Princess Anne followed a similar style, wearing a forest green coat, a matching hat, and a rose gold diamond floral brooch she first wore in 1973 with her first husband, Mark Phillips.
Protests against the monarchy
However, the day was not just about ceremonies and historic brooches. Starting in the morning, three separate protests organized by groups critical of the institution took place around the Abbey, focusing on the figure of the former Prince Andrew.
When Charles, Camilla, and the rest of the family arrived, the shouts and protests were both audible and visible.
This is not the first time something like this has happened, but the scale of the protests this time made the reception notably more tense than in previous years. The Andrew case remains an open wound that the royal family has not fully healed.