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The Queen welcomed leaders from the 53 Commonwealth nations to the palace for two days of discussions on topics such as trade, marine protection, and cybercrime. Heads of state, high commissioners, and foreign ministers have begun arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Queen’s opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The meeting, taking place in Britain for the first time in 20 years, is seen as a chance to reconnect with former British colonies and revitalize the loose alliance of 53 Commonwealth countries ahead of Brexit. The Commonwealth evolved out of the British empire in the mid-20th century, and the Queen has been its head since her reign began in 1952. YouTube YouTube A spectacle of pomp and pageantry was staged to welcome the dignitaries, with a guard of honor and flag bearers displaying the flags of the Commonwealth’s 53 member states waiting to greet them. A Guard of Honour turns out on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London alongside flag bearers displaying each of the 53 Commonwealth flags, ahead of the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. (Daily Mail) YouTube Amid tight security, which has seen the streets around the Queen’s official London home cordoned off, motorcades began to drive into the palace forecourt. YouTube More than 100 officers and soldiers from the Coldstream Guards are in the honor guard, wearing their famous scarlet tunics and bearskins, alongside the Band and Corps of Drums of the Coldstream Guards. https://twitter.com/Commonwealth18/status/986885695112441856 YouTube The Queen, who addressed the Commonwealth heads of government in the Buckingham Palace ballroom at the official opening of CHOGM, said it was her sincere wish that Prince Charles would “carry on the important work” started by her father, George VI in 1949. In an explicit speech, The Queen has expressed her "sincere wish" that her son, the Prince of Wales, will one day succeed her as Head of Commonwealth, in the clearest signal yet about the future of the family of nations. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth said in the meeting she hoped her son and heir Prince Charles would take on leadership of the Commonwealth, answering some who argue the position should be rotated around member states. Her highly significant speech met with warm applause is the most explicit statement she has made to date of her hopes for the Commonwealth’s future, and the honorary and not hereditary position of its head. Queen Elizabeth II speaks at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace in London, UK - 19 Apr 2018 (Ufams) In an unusually explicit statement of her views, she told the presidents and prime ministers of the Commonwealth: “It remains a great pleasure and honor to serve you as Head of the Commonwealth and to observe, with pride and satisfaction, that this is a flourishing network. A decision on whether Prince Charles will succeed Queen Elizabeth II is set to be decided as leaders from the 53 Commonwealth governments gather (Courier Mail) “It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day The Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.” The Prince of Wales’ bid to one day accede to his mother’s Commonwealth role is due to be discussed at a private CHOGM retreat at Windsor on Friday, but is now widely considered a foregone conclusion. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles arrive for the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads (Daily Mail) Two years ago, speaking at the last CHOGM in Malta, the Queen offered a hint to her feelings, saying she could not have been "better supported and represented in the Commonwealth than by The Prince of Wales who continues to give so much to it with great distinction”. Today, at the start of the London summit, she told an audience: "When I meet the young leaders of this century, I remember my own life-long commitment – made in South Africa in 1947 at the age of 21. Daily Nation "As another birthday approaches this week, I am reminded of the extraordinary journey we have been on, and how much good has been achieved." Saying that "my family and I have been heartened" by the successful Commonwealth programmes "in which we are proud to play a part," she added: "Here at Buckingham Palace in 1949, my father met the Heads of Government when they ratified the London Declaration, which created the Commonwealth as we know it today – then comprising just eight nations. Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Day 2 June 1953 (Daily Express) "Who then - or in 1952, when I became Head of the Commonwealth - would have guessed that a gathering of its member states would one-day number 53, or that it would comprise 2.4 billion people? Queen Elizabeth at day of coronation (ThoughtCo) "Put simply, we are one of the world's great convening powers: a global association of volunteers who believe in the tangible benefits that flow from exchanging ideas and experiences and respecting each other's point of view. Queen Elizabeth II speaks at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace in London. (Daily Mail) "And we seem to be growing stronger year by year. The advantages are plain to see." A Guard of Honour carrying the 53 Commonwealth flags arrive at Buckingham Palace in London, ahead of the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. (Daily Mail) Theresa May, the Prime Minister, received prolonged applause after addressing the Queen directly, saying: “This week you have opened your homes to us – here in London and in Windsor. Over many years you have been the Commonwealth’s most steadfast and fervent champion. YouTube “You have been true to the deepest values of the Commonwealth – that the voice of the smallest member country is worth precisely as much as that of the largest; that the wealthiest and the most vulnerable stand shoulder to shoulder. The world leaders and the Queen pose for the traditional Commonwealth "family" photo. The countries represented have been identified Commonwealth leaders pose for a family photograph with Queen Elizabeth II during the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace in London. (Daily Mail) “You have seen us through some of our most serious challenges. And we commit to sustaining this Commonwealth, which you have so carefully nurtured. “For your service, for your dedication, for your constancy – we thank you.” Continue Reading And Watch Videos On Next page... The Prince of Wales, who walked into the ballroom at the side of the Queen and made the first address, said: “For my part, the Commonwealth has been a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember, beginning with my first visit to Malta when I was just five years old. Emeli Sande gave a rendition of the national anthem before a group of six “Commonwealth Voices” performed a version of Unwritten, a pop song now considered by organizers to be a “youth anthem”. “And so, Ladies and Gentlemen, I pray that this Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will not only revitalize the bonds between our countries but will also give the Commonwealth a renewed relevance to all citizens, finding practical solutions to their problems and giving life to their aspirations. Prince Charles, 69, made an informal pitch for the role in his remarks at the event in Buckingham Palace: “For my part, the Commonwealth has been a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember.” YouTube “By doing so, the Commonwealth can be a cornerstone for the lives of future generations, just as it has been for so many of us.” He raised a smile from Canadian leader Justin Trudeau, as he name-checked his father Pierre during a list of “giants of the Commonwealth” he has been “fortunate” enough to meet. Prince Charles was joined by his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, and sons the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Also in attendance were the Duke of York, Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex, the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, who walked out as a family at the end of the ceremony. Later today, the Queen and Prince of Wales will host a lunch at Buckingham Palace for new heads of government and this evening, the Royal Family, heads of government and their spouses, will reconvene at the palace for a formal “Queen’s Dinner”, with a drinks reception and a second speech from Her Majesty. Sources: Telegraph UK and Daily Mail and Reuters