The Westminster Abbey service has been held annually since 1972 and televised since 1989
The BBC has scrapped its live broadcast of next Monday’s Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, opting instead to air an episode of Escape to the Country.
The national broadcaster attributed the decision to budgetary constraints.
A BBC spokesman defended the scheduling change, telling the Sun: “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.”
BBC sparks backlash after scrapping Royal Family Commonwealth Day broadcast: ‘Appalling decision!’
Royal author and Majesty Magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward condemned the move in stark terms.
“It’s a ridiculous and appalling decision,” she told the publication.
“The BBC has been doing it for years, and it’s the most important date in the diary for celebrating the Commonwealth.”
Rather than the royal ceremony, BBC One viewers will watch a Canadian couple searching for properties in Scotland’s Central Lowlands.
The royals all attending the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 | GETTY
The Westminster Abbey service has been held annually since 1972 and televised by the BBC since 1989, serving as the sole yearly event uniting the 56 Commonwealth member states and their combined population of 2.7 billion people.
Ms Seward warned of dire consequences should such coverage continue to be deprioritised.
“If even the BBC doesn’t think it’s worthy to cover and celebrate despite its huge cultural significance for member states and the monarchy, then the Commonwealth could fade into irrelevance with every passing year,” she said.
GB News has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
The Queen led the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2024 | PA
Nations including Australia, Canada and India form part of the Commonwealth family, with King Charles serving as its head.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Westminster Abbey ceremony, which draws approximately 1,800 attendees.
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner and ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse are anticipated to deliver readings during the service.
The congregation will include high commissioners from Commonwealth nations, government officials, young people and prominent figures from the creative industries.
Queen Elizabeth II leaving after the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in 2022
For the Princess of Wales, the occasion marks her first public engagement since she travelled to Leicester on March 5 in a solo engagement.
This year’s service will showcase several artistic highlights, among them the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony by composer Rekesh Chauhan.
A specially created dance performance combining classical ballet from the Royal Ballet School with Bollywood choreography from Sapnay Entertainments will also feature.
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