The Queen anoints Prince Charles as Head of Commonwealth

The Queen anoints Prince Charles as Head of Commonwealth

The Queen today told foreign dignitaries of her 'sincere wish' that they pick Prince Charles to take over as leader of the Commonwealth tomorrow when they meet to officially anoint her successor.

Her Majesty and the heir to the throne welcomed heads of states to Buckingham Palace for this morning's formal opening of the two-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

In a highly unusual move, the Queen, who turns 92 on Saturday, made clear her thoughts on succession, as she said she hoped her son would be able to 'carry on the important work started by my father in 1949'.

The position is not hereditary, but Prince Charles, who is also the heir to the thrones of 16 Commonwealth nations, is expected to get the nod, despite unease among ardent republicans such as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he agreed with the Queen's wish that her son Charles succeeds her as head of the Commonwealth.

Speaking at a press conference at Canada House, in central London, he said: 'I very much agree with the wishes of Her Majesty that the Prince of Wales be the next head of the Commonwealth.' 

A decision on whether Charles should succeed his mother as head of the Commonwealth when he becomes king is expected from the nations' leaders on Friday, with reports suggesting the Prince of Wales will get their backing.

It is believed the discussion will take place during the Leaders' Retreat tomorrow, where the nations' leaders will talk frankly without aides present.

Today's spectacle of pomp and pageantry saw guests from around the world welcomed with a guard of honour with flag bearers displaying the flags of the Commonwealth's 53 member states. 

Amid tight security, which has seen the streets around Buckingham Palace cordoned off, motorcades carried guests into the forecourt for the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The royals were out in force for the opening ceremony, with the Queen and Charles joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

Queen Elizabeth, who has been the group's symbolic figurehead since 1952, gave up long-haul travel in support of the biennial summit in 2013 and the 2020 gathering is set to be held in Malaysia.   

In her opening speech, Queen Elizabeth spoke of her own 'extraordinary journey' as head of the Commonwealth, which started under her father King George VI with the London Declaration of 1949.

She said: 'When I meet the young leaders of this century I meet my own lifelong commitment made in Africa in 1947 at the age of 21.

'As another birthday approaches this week I'm reminded of the extraordinary journey I've been on and how much good has been achieved.

'It remains a great pleasure and honour to serve you as head of the Commonwealth and to observe with pride and satisfaction that this is a flourishing network.

'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 will carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.

'By continuing to treasure and reinvigorate our associations and activities I believe we will secure a prosperous and more sustainable world for those who follow us.

'A world where the Commonwealth generosity of spirit can bring its gentle touch of healing and hope to all.' 

The prime minister of Malta Dr Joseph Muscat, outgoing chair-in-office of the Commonwealth, also backed Charles as head of the Commonwealth, seeming to confirm the prince's future role was a certainty.

Prince of Wales actively participates in Commonwealth affairs and puts a strong Commonwealth dimension in his various national and global ventures,' Dr Muscat said in a speech at the ceremony.

'We are certain that, when he will be called upon to do so, he will provide solid and passionate leadership for our Commonwealth.'

In the palace's ballroom, presidents and prime ministers from across the globe gathered for the launch of the two-day summit, normally held every two years, to discuss the Commonwealth's most pressing issues.

Singer Emeli Sande, whose father is from the Commonwealth nation of Zambia while her mother is from the UK, began proceedings by giving a soaring rendition of the National Anthem.

During the opening ceremony, Theresa May thanked the Queen for her life-long devotion to the Commonwealth, affectionately known as the family of nations.

The Prime Minister addressed the gathered delegates, adding: 'This is an occasion to celebrate, with renewed pride, our remarkable Commonwealth family.'

The host for the event was BBC presenter Reeta Chakrabarti and she introduced a group of singers from across the Commonwealth who