The Queen today publicly backed The Prince of Wales to succeed her as the next head of the Commonwealth.
She told Commonwealth leaders at Buckingham Palace, It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day The Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.
It was a highly significant moment for Prince Charles just back from opening the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Her wishes are expected to be formally ratified by the leaders of the 53 leaders tomorrow when they announce Charles as the Commonwealth’s next Head.
The Queen went on: “Having on so many occasions been welcomed to opening ceremonies around the Commonwealth, it is a pleasure this time to welcome you to my own home
Who then or in 1952, when I became Head of the Commonwealth would have guessed that a gathering of its member states would one day number 53, or that it would comprise 2.4 billion people?
Put simply, we are one of the world’s great convening powers: a global association of volunteers who believe in the tangible benefits that flow from exchanging ideas and experiences and respecting each other’s point of view.
She added: “And we seem to be growing stronger year by year. The advantages are plain to see. An increasing emphasis on trade between our countries is helping us all to discover exciting new ways of doing business.
And imaginative initiatives have shown how together we can bring about change on a global scale.
She highlighted The Commonwealth Canopy has emphasised our interdependence, while the Commonwealth Blue Charter promises to do the same in protecting our shared ocean resources.
And she spoke of the The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust is providing life-changing eye treatment to many thousands.
I am glad to see that young people, connecting through technology, are becoming ever more involved.
When I meet the young leaders of this century, I remember my own life-long commitment made in South Africa in 1947 at the age of 21. As another birthday approaches this week, I am reminded of the extraordinary journey we have been on, and how much good has been achieved.
Mindful as always that this summit of Commonwealth leaders draws its mandate and authority from our member countries collectively, it gives me great pleasure to declare this meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government open.
Future Commonwealth head, Prince Charles, spoke of his “with renewed pride” of our “remarkable” Commonwealth family.
He said it was a “very special pleasure” to be there joining The Queen in welcoming each of you to Buckingham Palace.
Witnessing this great gathering of seventy-one countries and territories and meeting their athletes in the Games Village was, above all, a moving reminder of the strong and affectionate bonds which we all share.
For my part, the Commonwealth has been a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember, beginning with my first visit to Malta when I was just five years old.
I consider myself fortunate over the years to have been able to meet and talk with so many of the giants of the Commonwealth, he said.
UK Prime Minister also was applauded for praying The Queen’s “constancy” to organisation.
She said of The Queen: “You have been the Commonwealth’s most steadfast and fervent champion.”
Mrs May said the issue of plastic waste would be “central” to the UK’s agenda at the bi-annual meeting.
It comes Commonwealth leaders are set to decide whether Prince Charles will take over from the Queen.
Her Majesty has been Head of the Commonwealth since coming to the throne in 1952 and despite being her heir Charles is not guaranteed of the honour by statute despite being the best qualified for the job.
In more than half a century of service to the organisation he has visited 44 of the nations, many of them several times.
I have long had an instinctive sense of the value of the Commonwealth, he has said, and spoken of the pivotal role the Commonwealth has to play in safeguarding our planet.
He shows his support through official visits, military links, charitable activities and other special events.
Most recently he has led the charge for member island states that face being wiped out by a rise in sea levels with his Blue Economy Development framework initiative. But still some say he is not passionate