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LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Commonwealth, opened the Commonwealth summit for what may be the last time on Thursday voicing hope that her son would be allowed to carry on her role.
Queen Elizabeth, who turns 92 on Saturday, welcomed leaders from the 53 Commonwealth nations — mostly former colonies — to Buckingham Palace for two days of talks that would include discussions on trade, marine protection and tackling cyber crime.
In her opening speech, Queen Elizabeth spoke of her own “extraordinary journey” as head of the Commonwealth, which started under her father King George VI with the London Declaration of 1949.
“It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations and will decide that one day, the Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949,” she said, referring to her son Prince Charles.
Queen Elizabeth, who has been the group’s symbolic figurehead since 1952, gave up long-haul travel in support of the biennial summit in 2013 and the 2020 gathering is set to be held in Malaysia.
On the closing day on Friday, leaders are expected to discuss who should follow Queen Elizabeth in the role.
The position is not hereditary, but Prince Charles, who is also the heir to the thrones of 16 Commonwealth nations, is expected to get the nod, despite some unease among ardent republicans.
Charles, 69, told Commonwealth leaders the body had been “a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember”.
“The modern Commonwealth has a vital role to play in building bridges between our countries,” he said.
British Prime Minister Theresa May, the host of the summit, paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s service to the Commonwealth.
“You have been the Commonwealth’s most steadfast and fervent champion,” May said. “You have seen us through some of our most serious challenges. And we commit to sustaining this Commonwealth, which you have so carefully nurtured.”
A spectacle of pomp and pageantry was staged to welcome the leaders, with a guard of honour and flag-bearers greeting arriving dignitaries.
More than 100 troops from the Coldstream Guards were in the honour guard, wearing their famous scarlet tunics and bearskin hats.
Born out of the former British empire, the voluntary organisation, covering a third of the world’s population, typically focuses on development and democracy, but is placing greater attention on boosting trade.
During the two days of talks, the group is hoping to agree to an ocean governance charter, an agenda for trade and investment, and a declaration on tackling cyber crime.
Abbasi meets Charles
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met Prince Charles at the Clarence House, London, on Thursday.
The prime minister said that as a founding member of the Commonwealth, Pakistan greatly valued the group.
For his part, the prince of Wales lauded Pakistan’s contribution to the Commonwealth.
Earlier, Mr Abbasi attended the welcome reception of the summit that was hosted by the British prime minister and Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland QC.
He also attended the opening ceremony of the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held at the Buckingham Palace.
Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2018
