Meghan Markle joins Queen for Westminster Abbey Commonwealth service

Meghan Markle joined the Queen at Westminster Abbey for a church service to mark Commonwealth Day on Monday.

For the former American actress it was her first engagement with the monarch and marks a major milestone ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry on May 19.

Meghan Markle arrived at Westminster Abbey after she was baptised by the archbishop of Canterbury earlier this month. Reuters

The multi-faith event celebrates the 53 Commonwealth countries each year and this year hosted Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Prime Minister, who read a Bible passage during the service.

The Queen in her address praised the 'Commonwealth connection' and said diversity is 'a cause for celebration'.

She said: 'Through exchanging ideas, and seeing life from other perspectives, we grow in understanding and work more collaboratively towards a common future.

'There is a very special value in the insights we gain through the Commonwealth connection; shared inheritances help us overcome difference so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division.'

Members of the Royal Family along with other politicians including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former prime minister John Major were treated to performances by the Ghanaian drum collective One-Drum and spoken word artist Jaspreet Kaur.

The former Suits star greeted children who gave her flowers after the service. Reuters

Liam Payne, who sang Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer, also performed to the 2,000-strong congregation.

It comes ahead of a major gathering of Commonwealth leaders in London next month.

Ms Markle described the service as 'beautiful, especially the choir and the music,' according to a visiting teacher, adding that it was 'great to see people from all over the world so well represented at the service'.

Responding to questions about her wedding, she confessed she is 'very, very excited', according to the Telegraph.

News
Trump forms Religious Liberty Commission to address 'emerging threats' First Amendment rights
Trump forms Religious Liberty Commission to address 'emerging threats' First Amendment rights

In a new executive action, President Donald Trump has established a new Religious Liberty Commission to bolster protections against “emerging threats” to the US’s longstanding tradition of faith-based freedoms. 

Leviticus: the joyful middle book of the Torah
Leviticus: the joyful middle book of the Torah

Hebrew scholar and Jewish academic Irene Lancaster reflects on Leviticus, holiness and loving your neighbour. 

'The Light He Left Behind': Martin Scorsese unveils new documentary featuring final interview with Pope Francis
'The Light He Left Behind': Martin Scorsese unveils new documentary featuring final interview with Pope Francis

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese has announced a forthcoming documentary that will showcase the final on-camera interview with the late Pope Francis, capturing the pontiff’s enduring message of compassion, creativity, and cross-cultural dialogue.

5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV
5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Prevost’s ascension to the papacy is his background.