Like many other events that have taken place over the last twelve months, Commonwealth Day was celebrated virtually this year. Typically, a Commonwealth Service attended by senior members of the Royal Family, Commonwealth High Commissioners, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and other dignitaries is held at Westminster Abbey to commemorate this special day. However, due to the current impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, the event had to be cancelled.

To mark Commonwealth Day, which fell this year on 8th March 2021, a special programme was shown on the BBC on the evening of 7th March. The programme featured messages from members of the Royal Family and musical performances and readings from around the Commonwealth. During her Commonwealth Day message, the Queen praised those from Commonwealth nations working on the front line to provide healthcare and public services. Her Majesty also acknowledged the importance of unity and noted that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has led to a ‘deeper appreciation’ of the need to connect to others.