The new monarch has an opportunity – though not much time – to show leadership on issues such as slavery reparations and the climate crisis, but will he be moved to act?
On 13 March 2023, King Charles delivered his first Commonwealth Day message as monarch from the great pulpit at Westminster Abbey. Departing from the tradition of his predecessor, Queen Elizabeth, who typically pre-recorded her annual messages, Charles took the opportunity to deliver his address live and in person. Appealing directly to billions of Commonwealth citizens spread across 56 member countries, he declared that the voluntary association’s “near boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold”.
“This week marks the 10th anniversary of the charter of the Commonwealth, which gives expression to our defining values: peace and justice; tolerance, respect and solidarity; care for our environment and for the most vulnerable among us,” Charles continued. “These are not simply ideals. In each lies an imperative to act, and to make a practical difference in the lives of the 2.6 billion people who call the Commonwealth home.”
