How to watch Commonwealth Day Service as BBC scraps live coverage
King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by Prince William and Princess Catherine at Westminster Abbey for the event.
BBC fans have been left fuming after the broadcaster made the decision to axe live coverage of the Commonwealth Day Service 2026 due to “funding challenges”. The ceremony, which takes place at Westminster Abbey today (March 9), will be attended by senior royals including King Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Catherine and Princess Anne.
It is the first time the senior royals will be gathered in one place since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in February 2026 on allegations of misconduct in public office. He has since been released under investigation, and denies all wrongdoing.
The live broadcast, which usually airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, has instead been replaced by an episode of Escape to the Country at 3pm.
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A BBC spokesperson confirmed: “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.”
Instead, viewers will have to catch up on the service on rolling news channels, with the broadcaster adding: “We can confirm BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel."
Celebs including Geri Halliwell-Horner and Oti Mabuse are expected to perform at the ceremony, along with orchestral appearances and music.
Royal author Tessa Dunlop told The Mirror of the axe: “The BBC 's dumping of the commonwealth service speaks to establishment slippage - one that incorporates four previously revered institutions - the BBC, the Royal Family, the Church of England, and the Commonwealth.
“In these tense times previously we'd have sought consolation in national rituals and shared events. Not anymore. More specifically, it is a warning sign for the Royal Family that things are not what they were."
