Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration 2026
- Kate McNab
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Their Majesties The King and Queen, accompanied by The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey to celebrate Commonwealth Day on Monday, 9 March 2026.  Â
Delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), the Commonwealth’s oldest dedicated charity, the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration is the flagship public event honouring the Commonwealth. Held every year, the Service highlights the shared values and collective spirit of this voluntary association of nations, coming together in unity, purpose, and celebration.
This year, the theme, Accelerating Partnership: A Connected Commonwealth, invited attendees to imagine what is possible when nations, communities and young leaders come together in bold collaboration. This year's service was a living showcase of creativity, cultural dialogues, and youth-led innovation.  Â
 We were delighted to be joined by over 1,800 guests, including Foreign Ministers, High Commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the UK and the Commonwealth. Over 500  schoolchildren from all four home nations of the UK attended alongside Commonwealth Games Athletes, and Finnie the mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games .
Joshua Opey, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, from Ghana, carried the Commonwealth flag in the procession of flags, and Dame Laura Kenny, the President of Commonwealth Games England and UK Sportswoman of the Year, carried the Commonwealth Mace.  Â
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2026 Performers
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Otlile (Oti) Mabuse
Oti Mabuse is a South African Latin dance champion, television presenter and talent show judge. She captured the hearts of the British public as a professional on Strictly Come Dancing, becoming the only professional to win twice consecutively in 2019 and 2020. Oti is currently the Head Judge on Dancing With The Stars Ireland and has appeared as Dance Captain on The Greatest Dancer, a panellist on The Masked Dancer and a judge on Dancing on Ice. Her work spans documentaries, entertainment, children’s programming, and reality television.   Â
Geri Halliwell-Horner
Geri Halliwell-Horner is a New York Times bestselling author, producer, actress and accomplished singer, globally recognised as Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls. A BRIT Award-nominated solo artist, she has sold over 90 million records worldwide. Her children’s series Rosie Frost debuted as a New York Times bestseller in 2023, with its sequel topping charts in 2025. Geri is also a passionate philanthropist, serving as an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society and The King’s Trust, and supporting global literacy, women’s empowerment, and conservation initiatives Â
Rays of Rhythm
Presented by Sapnay Entertainments Ltd in collaboration with The Royal Ballet School, Rays of Rhythm – Abbey is a vibrant Commonwealth Day celebration. Fusing classical ballet with the expressive energy of Bollywood, it’s a joyful showcase of cross-cultural movement, storytelling, and unity. Choreographed by award-winning dancer Prabhleen Oberoi, known for her ‘Commercial Bollywood’ style on Strictly Come Dancing and Dance 100, the piece brings together dynamic performers Raheem Payne, Shivee Singh, and Annaya Siyani in a stunning blend of artistry and rhythm. From The Royal Ballet School, alongside Sapnay, were Wendel Vieira Teles Dos Santos (Brazil), Cian-You Lin and Elliott Martin.
Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo
A Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister, Hon Mulipola entered Parliament in 2021, winning in Palauli No.1 and becoming Samoa’s first female Minister of Finance. Hon Mulipola oversees the finance sector, including key public bodies and national boards and retained the Finance portfolio following the 2025 general election. She previously served as Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, advancing the District Development Program and early childhood education. A chartered accountant, Hon Mulipola held senior finance roles in the private and public sectors. Her civic leadership included chairing charitable organisations focused on women’s welfare, advancing women’s rights and promoting sustainable economic participation.
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Commonwealth Symphony
Brought together by award-winning British pianist and composer Rekesh Chauhan BEM, the Commonwealth Symphony Orchestra united a dazzling mix of talent from across the UK. Rekesh, a celebrated performer at venues like the Royal Albert Hall, TEDx speaker, iTunes World Charts Top 3 artist, and British Empire Medal recipient, has assembled musicians from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the multi-award-winning Town Hall Gospel Choir, dynamic drummers Dhol Vibes, and theatre powerhouse Femi Elufowoju jr OBE. Together, they fuse classical precision, gospel energy, vibrant rhythms, and theatrical flair to create a one-of-a-kind musical celebration of Commonwealth culture and creativity.
Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh ONZM
 A poet, scholar, and illustrator of Samoan and Tuvaluan heritage, she is the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate (2025-2027) and served as New Zealand Poet Laureate from 2017 to 2019. The author of Fast Talking PI, Dark Sparring, Tightrope and the award-winning Mophead series, her work champions Pacific voices, identity and empowerment with lyricism and insight. Honoured Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit and elected Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, she is internationally recognised for her dynamic performances and her contribution to literature, education, and the arts. Â
 
Indigo Marshall ft. Tarju Le’Sano
 Indigo Marshall and Tarju Le’Sano are Birmingham-born artists creating work rooted in honesty, culture and community. Indigo is a singer-songwriter whose debut EP, The Fall, reached Number 1 on Amazon’s R&B chart; she opened the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and continues to build a growing catalogue defined by rich storytelling and independent success. Tarju is a rapper, producer and songwriter who has performed at Glastonbury and SXSW and released Digbeth Kids, culminating in sold-out headline shows. Together, they co-founded the 93:00 Collective, championing emerging talent and community-led events.
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Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Hon Shirley Botchwey
Appointed by Commonwealth Heads of Government in Apia, Samoa in 2024, Shirley Botchwey assumed office on 1 April 2025, bringing over two decades of leadership in diplomacy, governance and public service. She previously served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (2017–2024), leading major foreign policy reforms and chairing the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. A key architect of landmark UN Security Council resolutions on African peace operations and maritime security, Shirley Botchwey also championed Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ initiatives. She is a former Member of Parliament and an experienced business leader. Â
Super Grouse
Super Grouse blends top contemporary folk talent with the infectious energy of Scottish dance. From grand European palaces to Icelandic longhouses, and festivals to soaring cathedrals, they’ve got everyone tapping their feet. With Jason Dickinson on fiddle, Dan Bones on guitar, and Will Allen on accordion, their mission is simple: spread the joy of Scottish reeling!
Melodians Steel Drum Orchestra
 
Founded in South London in 1987 by Terry Noel, this award-winning steel orchestra has spent nearly 40 years inspiring young people from all backgrounds. Through teamwork, creativity and rhythm, members master everything from calypso and jazz to pop and classical. Known for its vibrant sound and strong community spirit, the band performs across the UK and internationally, sharing the joyful energy of steel pan music with the world.