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Commonwealth Day 2026 is scheduled for 9th March and will begin a week-long series of celebrations around the globe, including school assemblies,
flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events. The Commonwealth, which consists mostly of former British colonies, includes 32 nations that still have
anti-homosexuality laws — roughly three-fifths of the group’s total of 56 countries.
King Charles is Head of Commonwealth and will lead the celebrations. There is no record of the King speaking out on the subject of LGBTQ+ rights, but his close friend Sir Elton John has previously vouched for Charles, expressing confidence that he and Prince William would use their influence to try and decriminalise homosexuality and improve LGBTQ+ rights in Commonwealth states. Despite this, in the three and a half years since ascending to the throne, Uganda has passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which imposes harsh penalties, including the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" and Trinidad & Tobago saw a reversal in 2025, where the Court of Appeal reinstated their anti-sodomy laws. |
32 of the 56 Commonwealth member states criminalise same-sex acts between consenting adults, with many laws rooted in British colonial-era legislation. These nations are predominantly located in Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia and Oceania, where penalties range from imprisonment to the death penalty in specific jurisdictions.
Key Commonwealth Countries with Criminalized Homosexuality: There is no question that Uganda has some of the World’s harshest anti-LGBTQI+ laws. It calls for life imprisonment for consenting gay sex acts and the death penalty for people it describes as serial offenders. Studies by the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), a legal aid organization in Uganda, show that since the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, the nation has experienced an unprecedented upsurge in violent attacks against LGBTQI+ persons. HRAPF documented of cases of physical assault, illegal arrests, sexual violence, evictions, blackmail, loss of employment and denial of access to healthcare all over the country. | |
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The younger generation of royals have been much more vocal in their support of LGBTQ+ rights.
On a recent visit to the LGBTQ+ charity akt - The Albert Kennedy Trust, William, Prince of Wales was asked by one of the residents how he would react to his child coming out. "I think you don't really start thinking about that until you are a parent, and I think - obviously, absolutely fine by me,". As President of the Football Association he also sent words of support to Blackpool footballer Jake Daniels after he came out as gay, saying that he hoped the sportsman's decision to "speak openly gives others the confidence to do the same". |
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William claims he has spoken about the subject with his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and he raised concerns about the pressure people face
when coming out. William went on to say, "I fully support whatever decision they make, but it does worry me from a parent point of view how many barriers,
hateful words, persecution and discrimination that might come."
However in early February, the Prince and the Princess of Wales made a state visit to Saudi Arabia, where both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal. Punishments are based on a strict interpretation of Sharia law that can include the death penalty, imprisonment, flogging, fines, and deportation for foreigners. There are no protections against discrimination, and LGBTQ+ rights are not recognised. During the state visit William did discuss the issue of Women's Empowerment with his opposite number, the Saudi Crown Prince, but it seems he did not raise any issue to do with gay rights. | |
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In contrast, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, have also often showed support for the LGBTQ+ community and were the first members of
the royal family to publicly celebrate Pride month.
In memory of his mother, Princess Diana, Harry has also tackled the stigma of HIV/AIDS and help spread awareness of the issues that some people face. In 2016 Harry was tested for HIV live on television, and as a result the numbers of people getting tested skyrocketed. He and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, formally advocated for LGBTQ+ rights in 2019, calling it a "basic human rights issue". Harry has also defended gay service members in the military and tackled HIV stigma. |
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Prince Harry described his mother's work as "unfinished business", saying "I feel obligated to try and continue that as much as possible."
He went on to say "I can never fill her shoes, especially in this particular space, what she did, what she stood for and how vocal she was on this issue."
During the height of AIDS crisis Princess Diana made many visits to a charitable HIV hospital in East London, called Mildmay, and she famously shook hands with a patient. It was a moving scene to watch and it certainly helped lessen stigma around the HIV/AIDS virus. You may have read in the past few days that London Mayor Sadiq Khan has had all the London Overground lines named after significant events in the history of the city. One of the lines from Stratford which goes to Clapham Junction and Richmond is named Mildmay to commemorate the fantastic work of the hospital and the famous visits from Princess Diana, which meant so much to all those involved. | |
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Those multiple acts of kindness were reported worldwide. Princess Diana said at the time, "HIV does not make people dangerous to know. So you can shake
their hand and give them a hug, heaven knows they need it."
The generosity of the Princess of Wales all those years ago is still remembered today and just a few years ago Prince Harry donned a red AIDS ribbon while he visited Mildmay Hospital and met with many of the people there. "When my mother held the hand of a man dying of AIDS," the Prince said, "no one would have imagined that just over a quarter of a century later treatment would exist that could see HIV-positive people live full, healthy, loving lives." |
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As the 56 countries and territories of the Commonwealth now come together for Commonwealth Day and the commemorations that follow, perhaps it would
be good for all concerned if leaders from countries like Uganda remembered Princess Diana and her acts of kindness, and then abandoned their cruelty,
discrimination and persecution of LGBTQ+ people in their countries.
Flags in Parliament Square, London on Commonwealth Day
King Charles III
Map of the Commonwealth of Nations
HRH Prince William Duke of Cambridge at the 3rd Annual International Corruption Hunter Alliance
Prince Harry in 2014 - Photo: See Li from London, UK
Princess Diana at Accord Hospice |
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