Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead royals at Commonwealth Day service in King's absence - with Anne, Sophie and Edward among VIPs gathered in Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla and Prince William were seen sharing a giggle as they led the royals at today's Commonwealth Day Service while King Charles continues his recovery from cancer.

The Prince of Wales and the Queen appeared to put a day of royal chaos behind them as they were joined by Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.

The heir to the throne was pictured leaving Windsor Castle with the Princess of Wales. However, she did not attend the service due to her continuing recovery from the 'planned abdominal surgery' she had in January. 

MailOnline understands that Kate - who last stepped out with the Royal Family for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham - was heading to a private appointment instead. 

It came as Kensington Palace came under increasing pressure to release the original Mother's Day photograph after the Princess of Wales apologised after she admitted she had edited the family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Experts told MailOnline it was changed using Photoshop and related AI tools.

Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead the royals at Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal watch a dance performance during the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London

Queen Camilla and Prince William attendedthe Commonwealth Day service in King Charles' absence

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him. She has not attended the Commonwealth Day service 

Prince William leaves Westminster Abbey following this afternoon's service 

Commander Rob Dixon, equerry to Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the 2024 Commonwealth Day Service 

William chats to choirboys who were taking part in the high-profile event 

William, dressed in a dark blue suit, could be seen speaking to guests at today's service. 

The Prince of Wales chatted with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal as they waited near the Great West Door for the Queen to finish meeting people in the welcoming line.

The prince greeted Edward with a friendly pat on the arm and a kiss on both cheeks, before standing in conversation with his aunts and uncle.

As Camilla approached, William was seen to say 'hello' to his stepmother before moving forward to kiss her on both cheeks.

They smiled and chatted as they stood side by side ready for the national anthem to be played.

Outside Westminster Abbey, a handful of protesters had gathered with bright yellow placards bearing the slogan 'Down with the Crown'.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: 'The royals need to stop using the Commonwealth as a vehicle for their own PR.

'The platitudes we hear from Charles and Camilla only serve to paper over serious concerns about human rights abuses and a lack of democracy in many Commonwealth countries.

'The royal family funded, promoted and defended slavery for centuries, and then presided over an empire that caused untold damage to people's lives that continues to have an impact to this day.

'Reparations are a reasonable demand. As a hereditary monarch, Charles can hardly argue that what his ancestors did has nothing to do with him.'

Earlier today, the Princess of Wales publicly apologised after admitting editing the image William took of her and their children which was released by Kensington Palace to mark Mother's Day. 

Kate said sorry with a statement on social media which read: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

'I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C.'

Prince William and Camilla smile together as the Commonwealth Day service begins

Guests watch a video of King Charles III delivering a message during the annual Commonwealth Day Service

William leaving the service, an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe

William alongside Prince Edward at the event, which is one of the most important dates in the royal calendar 

William speaks with New Zealand singer Benson Wilson at the service 

Camilla chats with some of the choristers following this afternoon's service in Westminster 

The Queen walked side by side with the Prince of Wales in Westminster Abbey today

Geri Halliwell, 51, smiled at the cameras as she arrived at Westminster Abbey to take her seats among other high-profile guests, including Prince William 

Prince Edward and Princess Sophie are seen arriving at the Commonwealth Day service

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales are leading the royals in the absence of their partners

Prince William adjusts his tie as he steps into Westminster Abbey on an eventful afternoon

William and Camilla are pictured walking through Westminster Abbey 

The photograph of Kate and her children was the first to be issued since the princess's abdominal surgery and was released by the Palace to mark Mother's Day.

But it was withdrawn with a 'Kill' notice by international picture agencies hours later, and the UK's PA news agency on Monday, because of suspicions it had been manipulated.

Royal sources said the Princess of Wales made 'minor adjustments' and that Kate and the Prince of Wales wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day.

'This was an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day,' the source said.

'The Princess made minor adjustments as she shared in her statement on social media, the Wales family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.'

Despite calls for the original to be published, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

While Charles is unable to attend the service in person, he has thanked people for their 'wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes' over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to be played at Westminster Abbey.

In a royal first, he has recorded an address that will be played to the congregation, reflecting on the journey the Commonwealth has made since its inception in 1949. 

In his absence, the family is being led by the Queen, William and an extended roster of royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

The King's video was filmed last month at Windsor Castle, one of the places where His Majesty has been recuperating.

He refers to the origins of the Commonwealth in the network of countries that once formed the British Empire, saying: 'The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949.

'Last year, the Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year.

'Each of these milestones – and many others like them – represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.

William chats with guests at the annual Commonwealth Day celebration 

The Duchess of Edinburgh is pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester attend the 2024 Commonwealth Day Service

Prince Edward arrives at Westminster Abbey 

'And the Commonwealth's growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future – working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges.' 

In what many will interpret as a veiled reference to colonialism and slavery, the King referenced 'inequalities and injustices' of the past 'which still resonate today' and urged member nations to continue to 'find ways of healing'. 

Referring to climate change, the loss of nature and the social and economic changes new technologies are bringing, he said: 'Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways.

'Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us. All of this means that we must work together to understand each other's perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day.

'We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions. I cannot say often enough that it is by coming together that we create the best chances to improve our world and the lives of people everywhere.'

The King concludes: 'In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.' 

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive for the annual Commonwealth Day