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Smiling Kate leads Royals at Commonwealth service in largest public gathering of family since Andrew arrest

PRINCESS Kate led Royals with a smile at the Commonwealth Day service in the largest public family gathering since Andrew’s arrest.

Kate, 44, waved alongside husband Prince William as they greeted other senior Royal Family members for the event at Westminster Abbey.

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Kate smiled alongside husband Prince William at the Commonwealth ServiceCredit: PA
 

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The service is not being broadcast on live telly for the first time in 25 yearsCredit: AP
 

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King Charles stands flanked by William and KateCredit: PA
The royal mum-of-three stunned in a navy Catherine Walker dress coat and pearl necklace that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Prince and Princess arrived at the Abbey’s Great West Door and were welcomed by Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, before the arrival of the King and Queen.

And, the Princess Royal was greeted alongside her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence at the annual event.

But the Royal Family looked stripped down from previous appearances, with disgraced Andy in exile, Beatrice and Eugenie ordered to stay out of view, Harry and Meghan in the US.

The King put on looked delighted to see his family beside him for the Commonwealth Day Service as he led some 1,800 guests in the revels.

Despite Anti-monarchy group Republic gathering outside to protest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the royals, The King powered on with the celebration.

It is the largest public gathering of the family since the release of the Epstein Files and arrest of Andrew.

The former-Prince was detained on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on his 66th birthday last month.

Cops released the ex-Duke of York under investigation.

But it is expected there will be conversations with Commonwealth nation leaders regarding the removal of Andrew from the line of succession.

The government is considering legislation to remove Andrew as he remains eighth in line to the throne.

Any decisions will need the agreement of all 15 Commonwealth realms, where Charles is head of state.

Charles had spent the past week at Sandringham just two miles from his shamed brother Andy but had “no plans” to see him.

The BBC did not film the annual ceremony for the first time in almost 40 years.

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His Majesty watched the service intentlyCredit: Arthur Edwards – The Sun
 

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Kate received a bunch of flowers at the serviceCredit: James Whatling
 

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As head of the Commonwealth, Charles delivers an annual message to the 56 member nationsCredit: Getty
Ahead of the service, the King praised the “precious” Commonwealth, describing it as a forum for “honest discussion” aimed at improving the lives of billions in an “increasingly fragmented” world.

His Majesty has also used his Commonwealth Day message to highlight how the institution has “untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners”.

Charles, head of the Commonwealth, said in his written message: “In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, this voluntary union of free association remains rare and precious – a forum for open and honest discussion and debate to help improve the lives of the nearly three billion people who call our member states home.”

The King described the family of nations as a “force for good” in his message.

He continued: “Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.”

The King also said that it was when countries faced testing moments, like “conflict, climate change and rapid transformation”, that the family of nations’ “enduring spirit” came to the fore.

As head of the Commonwealth, Charles delivers an annual message to the 56 member nations.

It comes as the nations hold their biennial Commonwealth meeting this year during the first week of November in the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.

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Retired Antiguan cricketer Viv Richards gifted a cricket bat to King Charles III and Queen CamillaCredit: PA
 

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Princess Anne is also in attendance with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim LaurenceCredit: Reuters
The theme this year is accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous commonwealth.

The service today will honour and celebrate this as the defining strength of the modern family of nations.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and senior members of his Cabinet, as well as opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, were also in attendance today.

And, Prince Albert of Monaco, Geri Horner and her husband Christian were seen amongst the 1,800 guests in the Abbey.

As the royals departed, Geri, 53, grabbed Charles and warmly kissed the King on both of his cheeks much to his obvious delight.

The affectionate pecks drew comparisons to her famous smacker delivered to the future King during a Princes Trust bash in 1997.

While Geri also pulled Camilla and Duchess of Gloucester in a for big bear hug and kisses on both cheeks.

The ceremony today included a flag parade, steel drums, Bollywood-themed ballet performance and readings from the Spice Girls’ Geri and Strictly’s Oti Mabuse.

But the BBC has for first time in more than 25 years chosen not to screen the celebration live on telly, but instead show Escape To The Country.

In the evening, the King and Queen and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will host annual Commonwealth Day Reception at St James’s Palace.

Last year, the event’s theme was Together we Thrive.

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Geri and Christian Horner arriving at Westminster AbbeyCredit: PA

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The former pop star performed a readingCredit: Arthur Edwards The Sun

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Oti Mabuse also gave a speech at the serviceCredit: PA

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Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley BotchweyCredit: PA

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the serviceCredit: PA

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Conservative Party leader Kemi BadenochCredit: PA

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The annual service is held at Westminster AbbeyCredit: PA
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