King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Commonwealth Day Service© Samir Hussein/WireImage

King Charles gave Queen Camilla a snappy three-word order during the annual Commonwealth Day service this afternoon. This is according to expert lip reader Jeremy Freeman who analysed footage from Westminster Abbey.

It showed Charles and Camilla greeting the Prince William and Kate Middleton who were also spotted having a conversation with Princess Anne. The senior royals had just arrived at the church when their exchanges were picked up on camera.

But after making pleasantries, Charles suddenly appeared to realise that the service was about to begin, and according to Jeremy, he told his wife: “Quick, over here.”

Moments earlier, Camilla greeted Prince William by reportedly saying: “Hello darling, good to see you.” She was also seen blowing a kiss to Princess Kate before the pair laughed together.

And at the start of the clip, which ended with Charle’s order to Camilla, William was seen having a personal conversation with Anne.

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester Britain’s Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain’s King Charles III, Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales and Britain’s Queen Camilla arrives to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service ceremony© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

She had her back turned to the camera, but in response to something she said, he changed the subject by saying: “I agree of course, that’s another conversation.”

There were significant protests outside the church from the anti-monarchist group Republic. Their members held up banners that read “Abolish the monarch” and “Down with the crown” while another asked: “What did you know?”

This was in relation to the recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — and the set piece event was the first time senior royals have been seen together since that bombshell moment.

The Princess and Princess of Wales arriving© Anadolu via Getty Images

Despite the protests, members of the Royal Family smiled at supporters when they arrived at the church. Kate stunned in a navy coat dress by Catherine Walker and a pearl necklace that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

And although all eyes were on the royals, the service was also attended by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of his cabinet, as well as opposition leader Kemi Badenoch. Other notable attendees included Prince Albert of Monaco.

It is an important day in the calendar year for royals and in a written message King Charles told the Commonwealth member nations that by “working together” the institution will remain a “force for good”.

In his annual message, he said it is when countries face things like “conflict, climate change and rapid transformation” that their collective “enduring spirit” shines through.

Prince William and King Charles during the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey© Getty Images

His statement finished with: “Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.”

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For the first time in decades, the BBC axed its live coverage of the huge event, and they instead broadcast an episode of Escape to The Country.

The BBC said: “Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day ceremony in the same way we’ve done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges. “BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel.”