Princess Kate and Prince William join stars including Geri Horner for King Charles' Commonwealth service speech

KING Charles broke royal convention yesterday when he gave the first Commonwealth Day speech by a monarch in Westminster Abbey.

The King used the address to salute the “boundless potential” of the organisation’s 56 nations.

King Charles III delivers his Commonwealth Day message at Westminster AbbeyCredit: Getty

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth serviceCredit: Rex

Kate was spotted wearing a feathers brooch that was a gift from monarch Charles himselfCredit: Getty

King Charles III with a member of the Ngati Ranana London Maori ClubCredit: Rex

The member of the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club looks surprisedCredit: Max Mumby

Camilla struggling with the wind as she arrives at the ceremonyCredit: Max Mumby

His televised speech from the abbey’s Great Pulpit was to a congregation of 2,000

It was the first Commonwealth service since the Queen died last year.

Her Majesty never gave a speech from inside the Abbey during her 70-year reign — as her message was always pre-recorded, read by someone else or written.

Charles was spotted greeting a member of the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club before entering Westminster Abbey.

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And the King also stopped to watch an incredible traditional performance by the London Maori Club on the way in.

The royal then issued a rallying cry to the nations in the speech, urging people to “strive together” to achieve a “global common good” in his first Commonwealth Day address.

Charles said: “Commonwealth Day was an occasion of particular pride for my beloved Mother, The late Queen – a treasured opportunity to celebrate our Commonwealth family, to whose service she dedicated her long and remarkable life.

“In succeeding Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth, I draw great strength from her example, together with all that I have learnt from the extraordinary people I have met, throughout the Commonwealth, over so many years.”

And he praised the “shared humanity” across the world, adding: “By listening to each other, we will find so many of the solutions that we seek.”

The King also celebrated diversity and tolerance in his first speech as head of the Commonwealth, which represents 2.6billion people.

While Will and Kate joined the crowd after beaming as they walked into the ceremony at Westminster.

The Princess of Wales was spotted wearing a feathers brooch that was a gift from monarch Charles himself.

And she also a sported a glittering pair of two-tiered flower-shaped earrings, which were previously owned by Princess Diana.

The Queen Consort did her best to keep her hat on in the windy weatherCredit: Max Mumby

The royals during the service at Westminster AbbeyCredit: Reuters

Charles spoke about the importance of the Commonwealth Day serviceCredit: Reuters

Camilla dazzled in a blue wool dress and was seen wearing the late Queen’s sapphire chrysanthemum brooch.

The sparkling diamond and sapphire piece set in platinum was worn by Princess Elizabeth for the official photos taken on her honeymoon with the late Duke of Edinburgh at Broadlands in Hampshire in 1947.

Other members of the royal family in attendance were The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

The annual service was the scene of Harry and Meg’s final official public engagement as senior working royals in 2020.

Prince Harry, 38, and Meghan Markle, 41, have been invited to Charles’s coronation on May 6 and while there has been no confirmation it is expected they will attend.

Relations between Harry and Meghan and his family have become increasingly strained since ‘Megxit’ when the couple left Britain for life in California where they have set up home in Montecito.

Harry even described his brother, Prince William, as his “arch-nemesis” in his memoir Spare.

Today is the first time the family have come together to celebrate the Commonwealth since Harry and Meg’s bombshell revelations.

Charles is now head of the Commonwealth, following in the late Queen’s footsteps after she successfully lobbied for him to take on the role.

The star-studded service has also seen appearances from Alexandra Burke, Denise Lewis and Geri Horner.

The Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, referenced the coronation ceremony as the Commonwealth Day service began.

He said: “We will pray too for our King as we look to the day when we will gather here again in loyalty and affection.

“As people of faith, hope, and compassion, we shall pray for the peoples of Turkey, Syria, and Ukraine, and all for whom the last year has brought great suffering and loss.”

A Commonwealth flag for peace will be carried in the procession of Commonwealth members’ flags to mark 2023 as Commonwealth Year of Peace.

And musical performances will include saxophonist Yolanda Brown, West End stars Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera, and the all-female Amalgamation Choir, from Cyprus.

Guests of honour among the 2,000-strong congregation will include the Commonwealth secretary-general, the prime minister of Samoa, high commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the UK and the Commonwealth.

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Also attending will be athletes from the home nations who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer, as well as faith leaders, and more than 750 schoolchildren and young people from throughout the UK.

The service is being broadcast live on BBC One.