A speech delivered by The Duke of Cambridge at the Commonwealth Welcome Reception, Queen Elizabeth II Centre
Published
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a huge pleasure to be here at the QE2 Centre at the start of this historic Commonwealth week in London and Windsor.
It is very easy at the start of a week like this, when so many Heads of Government are gathering, to believe that the summit and its communiqués and statements are all that the Commonwealth is about.
The Commonwealth, I am pleased to say, is a lot more than that.
First of all, let me pay tribute to our Australian friends, who have just put on the most fantastic festival of sport with the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. And well done for topping the medals table – obviously everyone in the United Kingdom is just thrilled for you.
But the Commonwealth is a lot more than even politics and sports. When the question is asked, as it sometimes is: what makes the Commonwealth unique? I answer with great confidence that it is you who make the Commonwealth unique.
The Commonwealth has rightly been described as “the mother of all networks”. There is no other organisation on earth that marries politics with the civil society and the networks that the Forums represent.
And you are just the tip of the iceberg: there is a huge number of organisations representing every profession and walk of life who network across the Commonwealth – scientists, archivists, activists, medics, museums, universities, commerce – I could go on. These bodies, and your work in these Forums, bring a world that needs more communication, not less, together. What this gathering represents is a connection based on empathy, compassion and a shared desire to make our world a better place.
There is no other network on earth that even comes close to this – we must make the most of it, cherish it, and protect it for the generations to come, who will build on it.
And let's start this week – you represent millions of diverse voices, so use your combined intellect and creativity to challenge the status quo and to push the boundaries of what the Commonwealth is capable of.
I hope tonight's event speaks to this sense of togetherness and creativity, an approach to the world which is open and recognises shared experience. You will see around you many of the inventions and products which represent the very best of British ingenuity.
Tonight the organisers, representing Britain, have tried to focus on those ideas forged through partnerships across the Commonwealth – illustrating exactly this point.
My purpose here on stage tonight is to welcome you to the United Kingdom, and I am delighted to do so. If I may, though my duty is to formally welcome you on behalf of the whole country, I wanted to extend a personal note of welcome too. During the course of this week, across all the different events, you will be seeing a lot of the Royal Family.
For us in the Royal Family, supporting The Queen who has dedicated her life loyally and without fail to the Commonwealth is an enormous honour.
We hope, above all, that you prosper from your time together this week and that your sense of family deepens. It is a great pleasure for me and for all of the family to share your week with you.
So, welcome. We have five extraordinary days before us, with over five thousand people here in London from every corner of our Commonwealth family.
Have a good evening; and a very good week.
Related content
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Commonwealth Games
The Duchess of Cambridge joined the 1851 trust and the Great Britain SailGP Team in Plymouth
A message from The Queen to the Governor General and the people of Canada
I mourn with all Canadians at this tragic time.
A message from The Queen to the President of Pakistan
The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with Pakistan as you recover from these terrible events.
The King's Presence Chamber, St James's Palace
King's Birthday Ball at St.James's Palace, 1782
Souvenir of the visit of Queen Mary to Holyrood
The Earl of Wessex officially closes the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
You have inspired us and hopefully future generations. You have also demonstrated what unites us. Thank you, Birmingham and the West Midlands.
A message of congratulations from The Queen to the England Women's Football Team
You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.
The Queen's message for the 2022 Commonwealth Games
My warmest thanks go to all those who have worked so hard to ensure the success of this particularly special sporting event, and I wish each athlete and team every success
A message from The Earl of Wessex ahead of the Commonwealth Games
Whatever your role or involvement, I hope you have an experience of a lifetime and enjoy every moment.
Report a vulnerability
The Royal Household takes the security of our systems seriously. This page provides guidance on how to report a security vulnerability identified within any publicly...
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marked Windrush Day
A message of condolence from The Queen following the death of former Prime Minister Abe of Japan
I wish to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time.
Wales Week 2022
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended Grenfell Tower Memorial Service
The Duchess of Cambridge Visited Little Village’s hub in Brent
Financial reports 2021-22
The Royal Household today published its annual financial statement, the Sovereign Grant Report, for the financial year 2021-22. The Sovereign Grant is the funding provided to...
A thank you message from Her Majesty The Queen following the Platinum Jubilee weekend
My heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability.
A Platinum Jubilee message from The Queen
I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last...