On Tuesday March 10th, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales joined more than 40 High Commissioners representing every region of the Commonwealth at the Royal Commonwealth Society's annual High Commissioners' Banquet at St. James's Palace.
Speaking at the event, Lord Howell, President of the Royal Commonwealth Society, said: “In a dangerous age, in which the established world order is fast unravelling, the Commonwealth family becomes an ever more valuable network of like-minded nations and peoples, working together, talking together and sharing values together to underpin stability and development.”
Addressing assembled guests, David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of The Commonwealth Games Federation said: "Commonwealth Week is an invaluable touch-point for us all, as individuals and organisations. It reminds us that we have an active part to play in a dynamic and contemporary Commonwealth, which puts the potential of all its people at the heart of its ambitions.
Equality, Humanity and Destiny are the core values of the Commonwealth Sporting Movement. They compel us to use the power of sport to push our boundaries to inspire, engage and transform through our work and deeds. And in 2015, as we celebrate 'A Young Commonwealth', it is particularly fitting that the Commonwealth Youth Games is taking place in Samoa and we look forward to showcasing the talent of the Commonwealth's best young athletes.
As a movement we are primed for action, looking forward with focus and optimism – and we are ready to take up the challenge of being active partners in a connected and forward-looking Commonwealth."
The Royal Commonwealth Society organises the High Commissioners' Banquet as part of Commonwealth Week celebrations taking place between 9th and 13th March. Commonwealth Week is an opportunity to celebrate the enduring ties of friendship that characterise the modern Commonwealth, to promote international cooperation and understanding on global issues and to foster a greater understanding of the Commonwealth's role, particularly among young people.
The day before the High Commissioners' Banquet, on Monday 9th March, HRH The Prince of Wales, and other senior Royals, attended the Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey.
Notes to Editors
High Commissioners' Banquet: In 1874, the Royal Commonwealth Society hosted its first annual 'conversazione'. This event consisted of music and an exhibition of objects of colonial interest, loaned for the evening. It was attended by many High Commissioners in London and quickly became a highlight of the London social scene. By 1882, over 2,000 people attended. The event ceased in the 1960s, but was revived in 2011. Since 2011, the High Commissioners' Banquet has been held in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover.
Commonwealth Day is marked annually on the second Monday in March (9th March 2015). Commonwealth Day celebrations take place around the world. In London, an Observance took place at Westminster Abbey, organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society (on behalf the Council of Commonwealth Societies) and focusing on the theme, 'A Young Commonwealth'.
This event was attended by Her Majesty The Queen and Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Speakers included, Kailash Satyarthi, an international child rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the first female Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh, and PJ Cole, a community mobiliser in the fight against Ebola and Queen's Young Leader. For more information, images and video from the event, please visit: www.thercs.org
The Royal Commonwealth Society is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Through youth empowerment, education and advocacy, the Royal Commonwealth Society promotes the value and the values of the Commonwealth, championing human rights, democracy and sustainable development across its 53 member states. Founded in 1868, the Society is constituted by Royal Charter and as a charity.www.thercs.org
The modern Commonwealth was established with 8 members in 1949. In 2015, it has 53 members with a combined population of 2.2 billion. It is a voluntary association of governments and peoples, built around shared language, institutions, challenges, aspirations and values. Commonwealth countries work together to promote common values: democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and opportunity for all.
The Queen is Head of the Commonwealth. For further information, see www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Overview.aspx
Lay KPMG audit report on SML-GRA contract before Parliament – Isaac Adongo tells...
Supervisor remanded for stabbing businessman with broken bottle and screwdriver
NDC watching EC and NPP closely on Returning Officer recruitment — Omane Boamah
Your decision to contest for president again is pathetic – Annoh-Dompreh blasts ...
Election 2024: Security agencies ready to keep peace and secure the country — IG...
People no longer place value in public basic schools; new uniforms, painting wil...
'Comedian' Paul Adom Otchere needs help – Sulemana Braimah
Ejisu by-election: Only 33% of voters can be swayed by inducement — Global InfoA...
Minority will expose the beneficial owners of SML, recover funds paid to company...
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang has ‘decapitated’ the NPP’s strategies; don’t take them ser...
