King Charles has issued a powerful message to mark Commonwealth Day, where he remarked that "diversity is our greatest strength".
The King has currently paused all public-facing duties while he receives cancer treatment, and is not attending today's Commonwealth Day Service.
As Head of the Commonwealth, the King has instead recorded a Commonwealth video message that will be broadcast during the service later today.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
King Charles issues Commonwealth Day message
PA
King Charles's message will reflect the evolution of the Commonwealth since 1949.
The Commonwealth Day theme for 2024 is "One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth".
The King’s message was filmed in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle last month.
The clock on His Majesty’s desk, which was shown alongside a silver inkstand, was a wedding gift to the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
King Charles will not attend the Commonwealth Day Service
PA
The oak sapling on the desk was grown from an acorn collected on the Home Park Windsor Estate during the King's Coronation year.
In his speech, King Charles said: "The Commonwealth family is strongest when we are connected, through friendship. As I have said before, the Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house, and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires.
"Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time.
"This is true both at the level of nations and, indeed, at the local level. We recognise today that our diversity is our greatest strength."
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The 75-year-old recognised the importance of the diverse cultures across the Commonwealth.
He explained: "The Commonwealth represents a third of humanity, from all regions of the world, with all the different experiences, knowledge, and aspirations that this brings.
"Wherever we live, we are united by the many challenges we face – whether it be climate change, the loss of nature, or the social and economic changes that new technologies are bringing.
"Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways. Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us.
Prince William is also expected to attend the service
Reuters"All of this means that we must work together to understand each other’s perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day."
The King also thanked well-wishers who have sent kind messages after disclosing he was diagnosed with cancer.
His Majesty said: "In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.
"My belief in our shared endeavours and in the potential of our people remains as sure and strong as it has ever been. I have no doubt that we will continue to support one another across the Commonwealth as, together, we continue this vital journey."
