WATCH: The King looked 'stoic' at royal family's first major gathering since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's shock arrest

The royal family was out in force to attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, marking their first major public reunion since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest.

The King and Queen were flanked by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they arrived to a fanfare inside the Abbey. Despite the small anti-monarchist group, Republic, protesting outside and shouting "What did you know?" in reference to Charles' disgraced younger brother Andrew, and his connection with Jeffrey Epstein, the royals appeared united and calm at the high-profile event.

Charles and his wife Camilla were the last to arrive and greeted their family members with kisses, while the royal ladies shared jokes about the size of their headwear. Among the 1,800 guests present were Prince Albert of Monaco and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

As head of the 56 member states, the King led the country in celebrating the Commonwealth, describing the family of nations as a "force for good" in his pre-released message. 

He said: "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." 

The King also noted that it was when countries faced testing moments, like "conflict, climate change and rapid transformation", that the family of nations' "enduring spirit" came to the fore. 

© Getty

Royal Editor's reaction

I was inside the Abbey to witness the royals' public reunion and most of all, the King's stoicism. Despite the difficult times, he seems buoyed by having his nearest and dearest around him. Watch my video below for my latest thoughts.

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