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Friday 20 April 2018

Queen Hosts 'Farewell' State Dinner For Commonwealth Leaders At Buckingham Palace After Urging Them To Anoint Prince Charles As Her Successor...

The Queen and Charles welcome world leaders for state dinner
The Queen welcomed world leaders to Buckingham Palace for a state dinner on Thursday evening. Her Majesty hosted the dinner, which was attended by several members of the royal family and heads of government, including Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy (left). The lavish dinner came ahead of anointing the Queen's successor on Friday, as she told foreign dignitaries earlier today of her 'sincere wish' that they pick Prince Charles (pictured together right) to take over as leader of the Commonwealth.

Her Majesty greeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a receiving line for the Queen's Dinner for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Her Majesty greeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a receiving line for the Queen's Dinner for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Prince William and Harry joined the Queen and Prince Charles as they hosted a state dinner for the Commonwealth leaders at Buckingham Palace, though heavily pregnant Kate and Meghan Markle enjoyed an evening off royal duties.

Her Majesty was hailed as an 'icon' of the Commonwealth tonight by an African statesman who expressed the organisation's regret that she plans to wind down her work with it.

In a toast to the monarch at a Buckingham Palace dinner for leaders and foreign ministers from the Commonwealth's 53 nations, Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, offered their thanks to her. 
Among the china used was a Green Sevres dessert service from the 1790s made of soft-paste porcelain for Louis XVI. It was purchased by George IV when he was Prince Regent and the service was used at Carlton House in the 1820s. Pictured: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari arrives to attend The Queen's Dinner 
Pictured: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari arrives to attend The Queen's Dinner 
'We're led to to understand that she'll be winding down her duties as head of the Commonwealth,' he said of the Queen. 

'This toast thus takes on an added significance, for it falls upon me to express the depth of our collective regret that she will no longer automatically be present at our proceedings.

'It is my fervent hope that the deep love she has held for this association will continue to light the way for all of us.' He paid tribute to her ability to put visiting politicians at their ease and told 130 guests in the Picture Gallery: 'She will always be an icon of the Commonwealth.' 

The dinner, the first time that the Queen has hosted an evening meal in the Picture Gallery, had the air of a farewell party for the monarch, who will be 92 on Saturday and no longer travels abroad. 
Britain's Prince Charles greets India's Prime Narendra Modi in a receiving line for the Queen's Dinner on Thursday night 
Britain's Prince Charles greets India's Prime Narendra Modi in a receiving line for the Queen's Dinner on Thursday night 

Downing Street said on Monday that a decision on whether Charles should succeed his mother as Commonwealth head was expected from the heads of state on Friday, and reports have stated the mood is Charles will get their backing.  

Born out of the former British empire, the voluntary organisation, covering a third of the world's population, typically focuses on development and democracy, but is placing greater attention on boosting trade.

During the two days of talks, the group is hoping to agree an ocean governance charter, an agenda for trade and investment, and a declaration on tackling cyber crime.  

Given its highly diverse membership, if agreements can be struck within the Commonwealth, they can likely achieve wider support.
Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness arrives with his wife. Britain's relationship with the Commonwealth has been clouded by diplomatic missteps and the legacy of empire, including the Windrush scandal
Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness arrives with his wife. Britain's relationship with the Commonwealth has been clouded by diplomatic missteps and the legacy of empire, including the Windrush scandal
At the last Commonwealth summit in 2015, leaders struck a deal on climate change that helped pave the way for the Paris agreement days afterwards.

Friday's sessions take place at Windsor Castle, west of London, where the leaders are left entirely alone to discuss whatever they wish.

On Thursday morning, the streets around Buckingham Palace were cordoned off, as motorcades carried guests into the forecourt for the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta (left), Prime Minister Theresa May, the Queen and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland (right)
The royals were out in force for the opening ceremony, with the Queen and Charles joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

Queen Elizabeth, who has been the group's symbolic figurehead since 1952, gave up long-haul travel in support of the biennial summit in 2013 and the 2020 gathering is set to be held in Malaysia.   

In her opening speech on Thursday morning, Queen Elizabeth spoke of her own 'extraordinary journey' as head of the Commonwealth, which started under her father King George VI with the London Declaration of 1949. 

She said: 'When I meet the young leaders of this century I meet my own lifelong commitment made in Africa in 1947 at the age of 21.

'As another birthday approaches this week I'm reminded of the extraordinary journey I've been on and how much good has been achieved.'

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