His Majesty Leads the Largest Public Gathering of Royals Since Andrew's Arrest - Photos

From the moment the royals stepped out of their cars to the final note of the service, the cameras captured it all, and the photographs are waiting for you at the end of this article.

Monday's gathering at Westminster Abbey was marked by more than prayers and pageantry. For the first time in recent memory, Britain's senior royals stepped out together in a formation not seen since events that few could have predicted months ago.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla led the largest public gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on 9 March 2026.

Reports have since emerged that the King is also expected to raise the delicate question of the former Duke of York's place in the order of succession with Commonwealth leaders.

Alongside His Majesty and the Queen were the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Upon their arrival, guests were met with a small but vocal group of anti-monarchist protestors who had gathered outside the Abbey. However, the royals ignored them and proceeded inside.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were among the first to arrive, welcomed at the door by Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla followed as the last senior royals to enter, pausing to greet the assembled family just inside the church before walking through the Abbey together.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended despite the ongoing pressures of the Iran crisis, joined by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and dignitaries from across the world.

Prince Albert of Monaco was also in attendance, as were Geri Halliwell-Horner and her husband Christian Horner.

The King's annual address to the family of nations was included in a special booklet given to the congregation. "Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good," he wrote. He also spoke of tackling "testing moments" during a period of "great challenge."

As for the court of public opinion, the Halliwell-Horner couple's attendance drew immediate reaction online. "Why on earth were Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner invited? The monarchy aren't helping themselves are they?" one viewer asked.

Another was equally pointed, adding, "Amazing how money can elevate you, from common pop star spice to mixing with royalty."

One self-described longtime supporter of the monarchy admitted feeling a shift while watching, writing in part, "As I watched this I began to think how irrelevant they all are given what is happening in the world."

Another netizen echoed that sentiment, sharing, "It's like they all live in a parallel universe where it's all very jolly and play at dressing up. Pop out for tea and back home in the palace. While for everyone else the country is swirling down the drain, fighting for survival and being invaded."

The anti-monarchy protests outside the Abbey also caught attention. "The boos were embarrassing. This use [sic] to be a respectful event," one viewer observed, adding that public respect for the institution had all but disappeared. "They all look like soldiers about to salute😂😂," one commenter quipped.

The most poignant complaint, however, was aimed squarely at the BBC. "This should have been televised! Shame on the BBC," one viewer wrote.

The corporation has traditionally broadcast the annual Commonwealth Day service, a multi-faith celebration marking the member nations of the Commonwealth of Nations each March. This year, however, the BBC announced it would not air the event.

An episode of "Escape to the Country" filled the timeslot instead. It was the first time since 1989 that the BBC had not broadcast the ceremony.

Ultimately, inside the Abbey, King Charles III's message sat in the order of service booklets printed in black and white for a congregation that included world leaders, a former Spice Girl, and a Monaco prince. But the cameras, this time, were not rolling.