Military representatives from 33 Commonwealth nations and six British Overseas Territories were today thanked for representing their countries and presented with a Coronation Coin.
After travelling from all over the world, the military representatives arrived at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright for final rehearsals today (Thursday 4th May) before they take part in the Coronation procession on the 6th May, accompanying Their Majesties The King and Queen from Westminster Abbey through the streets of Central London.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Band and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will lead the Procession, followed by 400 service personnel from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth who are flanked by 114 Guardsmen of the Household Division carrying Realm and Commonwealth flags.
Photo: Commonwealth nations and six British Overseas Territories soldiers on parade. Photographer: Corporal Nathan Tanuku UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023
The military representatives from the following Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories will take part in Coronation preparations:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Eswatini, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gabon, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Montserrat, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda and Zambia.
Photo: Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories soldiers after the parade. Photographer: Corporal Nathan Tanuku UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under British rule at various times by settlement, conquest or cession.
The administration of such colonies evolved in different ways, to reflect the different circumstances of each territory.
The 1949 London Declaration recognised King George VI as Head of the Commonwealth. Following his death, the Commonwealth leaders recognised Queen Elizabeth II in that capacity.
The role of Head of the Commonwealth is not hereditary, however following a unanimous decision by Commonwealth leaders in 2018, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty The King became Head of the Commonwealth.
The King is Sovereign of 14 Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK.
