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The Secretary General of the Commonwealth has described next month's Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) as a "wonderful opportunity" for leaders to "talk about anything they wish to", following reports they may discuss the delicate subject of who will succeed the Queen as their head.
In a sign of the sensitivities surrounding who will become Head of the Commonwealth when the Queen dies, Baroness Patricia Scotland did not deny that the leaders may talk about it when they next meet on 16 April.
But speaking to Sky News on Commonwealth Day, Baroness Scotland said: "That is certainly not a matter for me, it's a matter for the leaders. The leaders will have a wonderful opportunity to be alone together at the retreat and they will talk about anything they wish to but it's definitely not a matter for me."
The Queen's support and promotion of the Commonwealth is seen by many as one of her greatest achievements.
Princess Elizabeth took over as head of the organisation in 1952 when her father King George VI died and she became Queen, but Prince Charles will not automatically inherit the title when he becomes king.
December 1953: The Queen and Prince Philip peered over the railings of the SS Gothic in the Panama Canal during their Commonwealth tour
Asked if she could elaborate on the process for selecting a future Head of the Commonwealth, Baroness Scotland said "no, no, no, I can't", before adding: "I as Secretary General of the Commonwealth am the servant of 53 countries, and the 53 leaders decide what the mandate is going to be and then give it to the Secretary General."
The Commonwealth represents a global population of almost 2.4 billion people. All the leaders of the member countries are expected to attend CHOGM in London next month.
Under the theme "Towards a Common Future" they will talk about a range of global challenges with a focus on issues such as sustainability, security threats, business, protecting the marine environment and young people.
Reflecting on the current political climate and the importance of the meeting, Baroness Scotland said: "This is a troubling, troubling time, and it is a time when we really need our friends. We need people of goodwill to put their heads together and say what are we actually going to do... how are we going to ensure we have a safer, more prosperous, basically a kinder world?"
Fifty-three Commonwealth member states represent a global population of almost 2.4 billion people
Later today, the Queen and members of the Royal Family will attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
In her Commonwealth Day message released ahead of the event, Her Majesty praised the diversity of the global institution, saying: "We all have reason to give thanks for the numerous ways in which our lives are enriched when we learn from others.
"Through exchanging ideas, and seeing life from other perspectives, we grow in understanding and work more collaboratively towards a common future.
"There is a very special value in the insights we gain through the Commonwealth connection; shared inheritances help us overcome difference so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division."
The Queen will be joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.
(SKY NEWS)
