Queen addresses world leaders on Day 1 of CHOGM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Today (April 19), marks the first day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM) in London.The formal opening at Buckingham Palace saw the participation of Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth, who turns 92 on Saturday (April 21), welcomed leaders from the 53 Commonwealth nations to the Buckingham Palace for two days of talks that will include discussions on trade, marine protection and tackling cyber-crime. In her opening speech, Queen Elizabeth spoke of her own “extraordinary journey” as head of the Commonwealth, which started under her father King George VI with the London Declaration of 1949. The Queen also appealed to Commonwealth leaders to appoint her son, Prince Charles, to succeed her as their head. She said it was her "sincere wish" that Prince Charles takes over "one day", as she opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London. President Maithripala Sirisena is currently in the UK participating the CHOGM 2018.