Yesterday was CommonWealth Day, an annual opportunity to celebrate together the links amongst the 53 communities across the world. This day starts its celebrations with a church service at the Westminister Chapel in the presence of the Head of the CommonWealth and after a reception at Marlborough House.

Happy #CommonwealthDay 2018.
Find out more about the events which took place today & thank you for following. https://t.co/aSJ8TKsdNG pic.twitter.com/Ex7wiWrucQ

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

Happy #CommonwealthDay! Her Majesty The Queen and members of The Royal Family will today celebrate Commonwealth Day. pic.twitter.com/8qL89F6vAq

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

This year's theme is  'Towards a Common Future' which emphasizes how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through sub-themes of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness.

Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth led the celebrations. The service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the UK and from around the Commonwealth come together to celebrate the day.

Her Majesty The Queen, Head of The Commonwealth, arrives at @Wabbey for today's #CommonwealthDay Service. pic.twitter.com/HCDbqFLhHq

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The Queen's work as Head of the Commonwealth is supported by other members of the Royal Family, who attend the service in addition to their own work around the Commonwealth through Commonwealth visits and charities.

Members of the Royal Family who attended this year were: Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Henry and his fiance Ms Meghan Markle, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew Duke of York, Princess Alexandra, Birgitte Duchess of Gloucester and Sophie Countess of Wessex. Both the Countess and Duchess's respective spouses Prince Edward Earl of Wessex and Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester were not present the Duke was celebrating in Malawi.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrive @Wabbey for the Commonwealth service. #CommonwealthDay. pic.twitter.com/ezyPEim2RU

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle arrive at @Wabbey for The Commonwealth Service. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/sIkCMFxCq5

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The Queen is joined by other Members of The Royal Family at @Wabbey as they celebrate #CommonwealthDay. pic.twitter.com/Vjy5gIgDZU

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The church service was led by the Dean of Westminster, the service encompasses traditional hymns and readings, with performances from artists around the Commonwealth and thought-provoking speeches from community leaders.

'As we give thanks for our rich diversity and for our common humanity, let us pray together for peace and unity' – Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, gives the bidding during The Commonwealth Service at @Wabbey. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/5dXcc9IQI2

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

During the Commonwealth Service, The @PortGospelChoir sing Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/uhOr8Fc1cW

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

Ngāti Rānana, the London Māori Choir, sings The Call for Welcome.
The London based community group celebrate New Zealand Māori culture and traditions. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/wEUF5oIDiT

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

After the service, the royal family led by Her Majesty met with the public who attended the service outside the church before going to a small reception.

The Queen receives a posy at the end of this year's #CommonwealthDay service at @Wabbey. pic.twitter.com/lVQWe410cN

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

After the service The Queen and members of The Royal Family met performers & members of the Commonwealth community, including @LiamPayne #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/nJgsOyprdi

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

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

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

After the #CommonwealthDay service The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle met schoolchildren outside @wabbey pic.twitter.com/iO5F4CWYhi

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

Reception:

In the evening, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke of Cambridge representing Her Majesty the Queen attended a reception hosted at Malborough House by Commonwealth secretary Baroness Scotland.

Tonight, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke of Cambridge are guests of The Commonwealth Secretary-General, @PScotlandCSG, at the #CommonwealthDay Reception at Marlborough House. pic.twitter.com/Q1S5QJ1mUI

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

TRH arrive at Marlborough House and are greeted by @PScotlandCSG. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/KCSw9V0Hjm

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, who are attending on behalf of The Queen, met guests associated with the #CHOGM18 theme, 'Towards a Common Future' – which looks to how The Commonwealth can address global challenges. #CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/y98GwtmAW1

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge, also attending on behalf of Her Majesty, meets representatives from around The Commonwealth at tonight's #CommonwealthDay reception. pic.twitter.com/vvWCH3rHM2

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke of Cambridge then watched a performance by Ngati Ranana, the London Maori Choir. pic.twitter.com/QZk1F44MYI

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 12, 2018

The London Maori Choir performed at the reception, which was held at the home of the Commonwealth Secretariat.