As the Buckingham Palace ballroom fell silent in anticipation, they walked side by side: mother and son, embodying the present and future of the Commonwealth in each steadfast step.

The Queen and her heir, the Prince of Wales, were united in stride and purpose, moving to secure for a new generation the Royal family’s place in the circle of nations they have vowed to serve. After a lifetime of duty, first pledged at the tender age of 21, the Queen took her seat among the Commonwealth heads of government to open officially their London meeting and to express much more besides.

In a heartfelt address to assembled presidents and prime ministers, the Queen shared for the first time her unambiguous “sincere wish” for her son to one day succeed her as Head of the Commonwealth.

Her measured words were a ringing public endorsement of the Prince of Wales, a rare intervention that served to make her son’s appointment appear a foregone conclusion.

“It remains a great pleasure and honour to serve you as Head of the Commonwealth and to observe, with pride and satisfaction, that this is a flourishing network,” she told the assembled heads.