March 12^th was an unforgettable day for four young Group 1 students from Cobham Hall.  Kunika, Chelsea, Justina and Yemisi were thrilled to be invited to attend a special service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate Commonwealth Day.  Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh attended, as did 1000 school children from all around Britain.  Students had had to submit an essay explaining why they should be selected to attend.

The service began with a parade of flags from all the countries in the Commonwealth, with the flag bearers all dressed in National Costume.  There were personal testimonies from many people around the Commonwealth, some of whom had suffered hardship as child soldiers or experienced the devastation caused by HIV Aids.  Representatives from all the great religions of the world, all dressed in fine robes, led the prayers.  Entertainment was provided by African and Indian dancers and beautiful singing from the Abbey choirboys. 

Cobham Hall’s Lower School Senior Tutor, Miss Lee, reported:  ‘The Queen walked very close to us and gave a special smile to our girls as she passed by.  It was a beautiful Spring day and Her Majesty looked very smart in a cream suit and hat.  The theme of the Service was ‘Respecting difference, promoting understanding’.  This idea resonated with our young students as they too come from very different cultures and are learning to understand and respect each others’ differences.’

The girls had taken bunches of the famous daffodils which grow in their thousands across Cobham Hall Park in the hope that they could offer them as a gift to the Queen, but unfortunately the opportunity did not arise and the flowers were carefully brought home to Cobham!