Commonwealth Day: Royals gather for Westminster Abbey service

PREGNANT Kate Middleton has joined the Royal Family to mark Commonwealth Day, one of her last public appearances before she’s due.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the Observance for Commonwealth Day Service At Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

THE Queen and senior royals have led a service celebrating the Commonwealth in London.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were joined by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the Commonwealth Observance.

Senior royals ... the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey. Picture: John Stillwell/ — WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kate Middleton chats with her father-in-law, Prince Charles. Picture: John Stillwell/ — WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kate Middleton greets Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Picture: John Stillwell/ — WPA Pool/Getty Images

It was the first time that William and Kate have attended the event, held at Westminster Abbey, which celebrates the multinational organisation on Commonwealth Day.

This will be one of Kate’s last public appearances before she gives birth to her second child in the coming weeks.

Eight-months-pregnant Kate draped her barely-there baby bump in a pale pink Alexander McQueen coat.

Royals and Kate's bump vine #kate #Cambridge https://t.co/UNsKsFswgN

— David Wilcock (@DavidWilcockPA) March 9, 2015

The royals were joined by politicians, Commonwealth dignitaries, including Australia’s high commissioner to the UK, Alexander Downer, faith leaders and more than 1000 children.

Pregnant Kate was wearing a long pale pink coat by Alexander McQueen that covered her baby bump, plus a hat by Jane Taylor.

Pregnant Kate Middleton covered her baby bump with a pale pink coat. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It was the Duchess of Cambridge’s first Commonwealth Day event. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Queen’s Commonwealth Day message was played via giant screens, and was broadcast by radio in Commonwealth states.

In it, the monarch hailed the Commonwealth’s continued role, saying what the member states share is more important now than at any point in its history.

Service ... Queen Elizabeth II attends the Observance for Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

She said the 53 nations, whose combined populations total 2.2 billion people, are “guardians of a precious flame” with an obligation to keep it burning brightly for decades to come.

more royal vininge from @wabbey #CommonwealthDay service https://t.co/Sm59TXEywe

— David Wilcock (@DavidWilcockPA) March 9, 2015

“Indeed, it seems to me that now, in the second decade of the twenty first century, what we share through being members of the Commonwealth is more important and worthy of protection than perhaps at any other time in the Commonwealth’s existence,” the Queen said.

Read Her Majesty's #CommonwealthDay message here: http://t.co/ZjoW2JDO5w

— Judith Guichon (@LGJudithGuichon) March 9, 2015

She continued: “We are guardians of a precious flame, and it is our duty not only to keep it burning brightly but to keep it replenished for the decades ahead.

“With this in mind, I think it apt that on this day we celebrate ‘A Young Commonwealth’ and all that it has to offer. As a concept that is unique in human history, the Commonwealth can only flourish if its ideas and ideals continue to be young and fresh and relevant to all generations.”

Originally published as Commonwealth Day: Royals gather for Westminster Abbey service