Due to my dual citizenship as a British South African I love to celebrate Commonwealth Day in London. We were outside Westminster Abbey with the press today, to observe all the dignitaries leaving.

In celebration of the day Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, attended a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon.

The theme of the service was “A Connected Commonwealth”, which brought together members of the Commonwealth community with the 70th Anniversary of the modern Commonwealth.

Other members of the Royal Family including the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended.

Artists Clean Bandit and Alfie Boe (Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe) performed at the service and flag bearers carried the flags from all 53 countries in the Commonwealth. #CommonwealthDay

Commonwealth Day has a special significance this year, as 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth. The Commonwealth represents a global network of 53 countries and almost 2,4 billion people – a third of the world’s population – of whom 60 per cent are under the age of 30.

South Africa Joined the Commonwealth in 1931 (Statute of Westminster; left in 1961, rejoined in 1994).

Watch the full service here:

Visit Ronel van Zyl’s blog here.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May (above and below)

1RSA (above and below) collecting the South African High Commissioner after the service