Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London (Yui Mok/PA)
Meghan Markle may not be a member of the royal family yet but she joined the Queen and senior royals for one of the most important events of the monarch’s year – the Commonwealth Day service.
The US actress’ attendance at the Westminster Abbey service marks a major milestone for Harry’s bride-to-be, as it the first time she has taken part in an official event with the Queen.
Celebrated across the Commonwealth, the day is an opportunity for each of the institution’s 53 member states to highlight the positive values of the family of nations.
In her Commonwealth Day message, which is printed in the event’s order of service, the Queen praised the “Commonwealth connection” that allows people from different nations to bond and celebrate “diversity”.
London will soon host a gathering of leaders from the family of nations and the Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, also paid tribute to the biennial event as an example of how consensus can “help to create a future that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous and sustainable”.
With the UK leaving the European Union the importance of the Commonwealth may increase according to some commentators.
Members of the royal family arrived ahead of the Queen including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke of York and Princess Royal as did the Prime Minister Theresa May
Screams and shouts from the public greeted Meghan and Harry when they arrived and the American actress looked stylish in a dress and coat by Amanda Wakeley and hat by Stephen Jones.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who was joined by the Duke, wore a dress and coat by Beulah and hat by Lock and Co.
The Commonwealth has played an important role throughout the Queen’s reign, and she takes a special interest in the family of nations.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell led a noisy protest across the road from the Abbey where activists banged drums and chanted slogans as they called for greater rights for the LGBT community in Commonwealth countries.
Mr Tatchell appealed to the Queen’s grandsons and their partners to make their voices heard on the subject, claiming 37 Commonwealth countries criminalise homosexuality, nine others have life imprisonment and in parts of two countries there is even the death penalty for gay people.
He said: “We hope the younger royals like William, Catherine, Harry and Meghan will recognise the immense persecution suffered by LGBT people in the Commonwealth and speak out as they have on many social issues.”
American Ms Markle, who is to become a British citizen, joined the royals in singing the National Anthem at the start of the service.
The camera focused on the former Suits star singing the words “happy and glorious” during the televised event.
During the service Theresa May gave a bible reading, former One Direction band member Liam Payne performed singer-songwriter John Mayer’s hit song Waiting On The World To Change, while the Portsmouth Gospel Choir sang Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Also among the 2,000-strong congregation was the prime minister of Malta Joseph Muscat, Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland, high commissioners, ambassadors, senior politicians from across the UK and Commonwealth, faith leaders and more than 800 schoolchildren and young people.
Dr Andrew Bastawrous, an eye surgeon who has turned a smartphone into an examination tool to combat avoidable blindness in developing countries, gave the reflection.
The surgeon, founder of social enterprise Peek Vision which works to bring better vision and health to everyone, told the congregation: “Advances in technology, treatment and public health mean that for most poor vision and blindness no longer needs to be a life sentence.
“For the first time in human history it is within our power to eliminate avoidable blindness and poor vision for everybody everywhere.
“Every country in the Commonwealth has the opportunity to transform their citizens’ eye health in a matter of years, not generations.”
The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle also met performers at Westminster Abbey. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/jdVxrxHWKJ
He went on to highlight the Commonwealth’s theme for 2018 – Towards a Common Future – telling the congregation “we have a shared history but more importantly we have a shared future.
“By working together we can make that future better for millions of citizens across the Commonwealth and the globe. At a time when there is such focus on division, vision can unite all of us.”
Ever wonder why there are just ten commandments? The most convincing reason is that it was a mnemonic device: these rules could be counted off on the fingers, thus easily memorized.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 01: Actor/recording artist Ludacris and Eudoxie Mbouguiengue attend Universal Pictures’ “Furious 7” premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 1, 2015 in Hollywood, California.
Formerly Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, Gabonese Eudoxie is wife to American rapper and actor Chris Bridges aka Ludacris and she now goes by Eudoxie Bridges. After moving to America and getting an education, she started the nonprofit organization, Unspoken Angels. Their mission it so support, educate, inspire, and empower young ladies who have endured mental, verbal and sexual abuse – after being an abuse victim herself back in Gabon.
Eudoxie’s maternity style was a mixture of different looks for different occasions, casual jeans, maxi dresses and flats for her off days and glam dresses and heels for her work meeting and appearances. It’s clear that she has a thing for Valentino Rockstud shoes but my favourite looks from her edition would have to be her white maxi dresses. Maybe it’s the white but she looks angelic and gorgeous in these white dresses below. One she wore for photos with her husband and the other she wore with a floral crown for her baby shower.
Eudoxie likes her jeans, either with flats for a casual day or heels for a more dressed up look. Similar to other stylish mum’s we’ve featured, she uses extra layers sometimes with jackets or a denim shirt.
For more formal/business looks while supporting her husband or attending meetings with member of her Unspoken Angels organisation, she’s chosen short pencil dresses either on it own or with a jacket for an even more conservative look.
Eudoxie supporting her husband Ludacris as he was being honoured for the work he’s done through the Ludacris Foundation