At the top of Constitution Hill, next to Buckingham Palace in central London, the Memorial Gates is dedicated to the people of the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the Caribbean and Nepal who served in the Armed Forces during the two World Wars.
On the 6th of November 2002 Her Majesty The Queen officially inaugurated the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill, in London. These gates have been erected as a lasting memorial to honour the five million men and women from the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Caribbean who volunteered to serve with the Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars. They also celebrate the contribution that these men and women and their descendants, members of the commonwealth family, continue to make to the rich diversity of British society.
The day is celebrated every year on the second Monday of March. This year Commonwealth Day was celebrated on Monday 9th March.
Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chairman of the Memorial Gates Council welcomed the audience at Constitutional Hill on Monday. Chief Guest Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans addressed everyone. Guests included members of Her Majesty's Royal Army, Navy and Air Force, Gurkhas, veterans, peers, MPs, High Commissioners, Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives and dignitaries from across the UK and Commonwealth.
Baroness Shreela Flather, Lifetime President of the Memorial Gates Council said, “The Ceremony taking place today is to mark the Service and Sacrifice made in both World Wars by nearly five million volunteers from the Indian sub-continent, Africa, the Caribbean and Nepal. Mahatma Gandhi was keen to support the war effort because of his expectation of achieving Dominion status for India. For me this is an opportunity for us all to remember the contribution of Indians, Africans and West Indians.”
The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, The Bishop of London lead the audience with prayers to the sounding of the last post which was followed by a one minute’s silence.
Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming
Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, accompanied by Charles and wife Camilia- Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Kate and William- the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan and Harry- the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex attended the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
It marked the first time Harry and Meghan appeared with all other senior members of the Royal family since announcing their intention to "step back" as senior royals in January. They will cease to be working members of the Royal family as they begin their new financially independent lives from April 1.
Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the UK. The theme for this year’s Service, ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’, sought to highlight the many ways in which the 54 diverse countries of the Commonwealth connect.
Guests of honour among the 2,000 strong congregation included senior representatives of Her Majesty’s Government and Opposition, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, High Commissioners, Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, dignitaries from across the UK and Commonwealth, faith leaders and over 800 school children and young people.
In her message as the Head of the Commonwealth, The Queen said, "Advances in technology and modern media have now enabled many more people to witness and enjoy - with remarkable immediacy - this experience of Commonwealth connection, in areas such as education, medicine and conservation.
“As members of this very special community, on this Commonwealth Day, I hope that the people and countries of the Commonwealth will be inspired by all that we share, and move forward with fresh resolve to enhance the Commonwealth’s influence for good in our world.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “The Commonwealth has over 70 years of history as a driver for peace, democracy and human rights around the world. It gives a voice to its member states and the 2.4 billion Commonwealth citizens around the world.
“Over 60% of those citizens are under 30 years old and it is for them in particular we must look, not just to the past successes of the Commonwealth, but to its future...
“And as we pass the baton onto Rwanda later this year, the UK remains committed to the Commonwealth as a force for good in the 21st century.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said,“...Commonwealth is unique in the diversity of its partnerships, spanning six continents and making up a fifth of all global trade.
“We are tackling some of the largest global challenges through the Commonwealth, from combating climate change to preventing cyber-crime, and creating a brighter future for the next generation.”
