The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 kicked off in London on Monday as world leaders from all points of the globe descended on the capital for five days of meetings, receptions, events and audiences with Her Majesty The Queen.
On day one of CHOGM, Prince Harry opened the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre as well as attending a Youth Cabinet Roundtable event.
Prince Harry and the Prime Minister Theresa May meet members of the Commonwealth Youth Council and Youth Taskforce to hear about the issues young people want championing during #CHOGM18. pic.twitter.com/rlJFLyloLj
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 16, 2018
During his opening speech, Prince Harry noted: “I am working now to plan my first year in this role. And my hope is to convene young leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss how best we can make Commonwealth platforms work for you, and to ensure maximum impact.”
Harry also noted: “I am also incredibly grateful that the woman I am about to marry, Meghan, will be joining me in this work, of which she too is hugely excited to take part in.”
Away from the Royal circle, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, opened the Women’s Forum while UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, made a speech at the opening of the Business Forum.
This summit’s theme is ‘Towards a Common Future’ and the weeks worth of events will be focused on building on the strengths of the Commonwealth to ensure it is responsive to global challenges and can deliver a more prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair future for all of its citizens but in particular the younger generation.
The Duke of Cambridge was also back on duty as he attends a Welcome to the UK Reception at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre.
The Duke of York was busy on the first day of CHOGM as he attended the Commonwealth Science Conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre and then made his way to St James’s Palace for a Commonwealth Pitch@Palace. Pitch@Palace was founded by The Duke of York and gives entrepreneurs the chance to meet the people who can make their business dreams come true.
Throughout the summit, Commonwealth leaders will come together to focus on delivering four things:
- A more sustainable future.
- A fairer future.
- A more secure future.
- A more prosperous future.
The Countess of Wessex also made an appearance on the first day of the CHOGM when she attended the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Reception at Tower Bridge.
Sophie also planted a white elm tree earlier in the Buckingham Palace garden to honour The Queens Canopy and marking the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will take place in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 19th April and will be hosted by Her Majesty The Queen and attended by many members of The Royal Family.