The Queen has vowed to continue to grow the Commonwealth in "scope and stature" for future generations in her Commonwealth Day message.

She has praised the "Commonwealth connection" that allows people from different nations to bond and celebrate "diversity".

The Queen's message to the 53 Commonwealth member nations will feature in a service, staged at Westminster Abbey on Monday to mark Commonwealth Day, and is expected to be attended by the Prime Minister, senior members of the royal family and Meghan Markle - her first official event with the Queen.

The service will be a public acknowledgement by the monarch of the US actress who will soon be joining her family when she marries Prince Harry on May 19.