His Majesty, King Charles III sends his heartfelt thanks for the wonderful musical accompaniment by young musicians from The Commonwealth Resounds at the launch of the Prince’s Trust International in Malta. They added something very special to the occasion.

’A Song for the Commonwealth’ has been a masterpiece of a project, with its wonderfully international ‘cast of thousands’, and its extraordinary reach, via music, all around the world. I will continue to be inspired by it; it was my own personal highlight from the Platinum Jubilee. I hope all of you who took part will remain proud of your involvement, as this was something really special. The life-affirming song, and the hundreds of new arrangements and projects it gave life to, form a major piece of heritage from the Jubilee, and a very positive portrait of choral life around the world in 2022. Thanks to all who sang or played this music, who taught, arranged and filmed it – something very important was created here.

In celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s extraordinary 70 year dedicated reign over the UK and the Commonwealth, the Lighting of the Beacons will occur on 2nd June 2022 throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and for the first time, in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth. I thought it would add to this special moment in The Queen’s life, if a unique song was sung by individual choirs throughout the Commonwealth as the Beacons are lit throughout the various time zones, on 2nd June next year. I could think of no better organisation than my friends from The Commonwealth Resounds to organise a  competition to find the winning song to be sung during this historic evening of celebration.

The sights and sounds of Commonwealth Resounds and of the Kampala CHOGM will long live with me