Queen on trade, oceans, young people and Prince Charles taking over
She has spoken about trade and protecting the world’s oceans.
She said her family and she has been heartened by programmes such as providing eye surgery.
And mentioning young people she said her lifelong commitment was made in Africa when she was just 21 – the age she found out she would be Queen after her father died.
She says one day she will decide that the Prince of Wales carries on her work in the Commonwealth – but does not say when.
After being welcomed by many of you, it is a pleasure this time to welcome you to my own home.
Here at Buckingham Palace in 1949 my father met the heads of government when they ratified the London declaration which made up the commonwealth we know today, then comprising of just eight nations.
“Who would have guessed that a gathering of its member states would number 53 or comprise of 2.4bn people.
“We are one of the world’s great convening powers.
Maltese PM Joseph Muscat talks about equality in the Commonwealth and despite different cultures the group embraces the fundamental value.
He said equality is not a relative value which is why Malta believes that gender equality and equal rights for the LGBTIQ community should remain on the Commonwealth agenda in assisting communities and supporting them.
He said there are too many of “our sisters and brothers who are criminalised, discriminated against or subject to violence” also said if there is just one thing people take from Malta’s leadership it is that.
Allow me to thank you for your personal interest you take in the Commonwealth. We look at your leadership as an honour you’re affording us.
You’ve continued what your father started and elevated it to more than we could imagine.”
He also praised the Prince of Charles for the interest he shows in the Commonwealth and that when he is called upon to be a leader of the Commonwealth he will do just as well.
Philip Cole from Sierra Leone is the Queen’s Young Leader and executive director of Lifeline Nehemiah Project.
He and his family took child soldiers in and supported them, “despite the atrocities they had committed”, he told the leaders.
During the Ebola crisis those child soldiers were helping people affected after changing their lives around thanks to the project.
He said we cannot just talk about young people in the Commonwealth, they are actually offering solutions, which he is an example of, he said.
The Commonwealth Secretary General speaks
Baroness Scotland speaks about the importance of young people in the Commonwealth.
She also speaks about climate change and plastic pollution and how integral it is for Commonwealth countries to join together to tackle them.
PM’s speech
Theresa May talks about protecting oceans and against cyber attacks.
She said the common values which the Commonwealth stands for, democracy, human rights, tolerance and the right of law, are still at the forefront of the Commonwealth.
The PM praises the Queen saying:”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.
“You have seen us through some of our most serious challenges. And we commit to sustaining this Commonwealth, which you have so carefully nurtured.”
Theresa May is addressing the Commonwealth leaders
She said it is the first full heads of government meeting in London for 40 years.
Talking about the history of the Commonwealth, she said the group has brought together people over many decades.
She believes in the “good the Commonwealth can do”.
Emile Sande singing the national anthem
