THE QUEEN has welcomed world leaders to a Buckingham Palace state dinner, after she told them she wants Prince Charles to be the next head of the Commonwealth.

Departing from usual protocol, her Majesty made her thoughts clear earlier today after speculation that her son may not automatically take over from her.

She told the presidents and prime ministers gathered at the start of a two-day Commonwealth summit that she hopes they will choose him to carry on the important work started by her father King George VI – hours before a lavish dinner at the palace.

The Queen added: "By continuing to treasure and reinvigorate our associations and activities, I believe we will secure a safer, more prosperous and sustainable world for those who follow us: a world where the Commonwealth's generosity of spirit can bring its gentle touch of healing and hope to all."

Speculation about whether the heir to the throne would succeed his mother, who has been head of the Commonwealth since coming to the throne in 1952, has heightened in recent weeks.

The position is not automatically held by the British monarch, and it was reported the topic would be discussed by the leaders of the member states during talks inside Windsor Castle tomorrow.

Downing Street said on Monday a decision on whether the Prince Of Wales should get the job was expected from by the end of the week, with several delegates showing support for the 69-year-old.

Earlier Theresa May thanked the Queen for her “service, dedication and constancy” to the Commonwealth as world leaders bid farewell to her.

The PM praised her as the group’s “most steadfast and fervent champion” at the opening ceremony.

She hailed the 91-year-old monarch and said: “On behalf of all of you assembled here in Buckingham Palace, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to​Your Majesty,​ Head of the Commonwealth.

“T​his week you have opened your homes to us – here in London and in Windsor.

"Over many years you have been the Commonwealth's most steadfast and fervent champion.

“You have been true to the deepest values of the Commonwealth – that the voice of the smallest member country is worth precisely as much as that of the largest; that the wealthiest and the most vulnerable stand shoulder to shoulder.”

She was speaking after a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, with a guard of honour and flag bearers for each of the nations, alongside the Band and Corps of Drums of the Coldstream Guards.

In the grand ballroom of the Queen's London home, Mrs May added: “You have seen us through some of our most serious challenges.

“And we commit to sustaining this Commonwealth, which you have so carefully nurtured.

“For your service, for your dedication, for your constancy – we thank you.”

The royals were out in force for the opening ceremony, alongside Elizabeth II was Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princes William and Harry, and two of the Queen’s other children Prince Andrew and Princess Anne.

This week’s summit is expected to be the Queen’s last, as she has given up long-distance travel so will not go to the next one in Malaysia in 2020, and it will not be back in Britain for years.

But her last hurrah has been somewhat overshadowed by rows over the Windrush debacle and the PM taking dozens of Commonwealth nations to task over anti-gay laws.

Prince Charles told the  assembled leaders he hoped the summit would give “a renewed relevance to all citizens, finding practical solutions to their problems and giving life to their aspirations".

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At the end of their deliberations the leaders usually agree a communique on a major issue and the prime ministers and presidents may commit themselves to a blue charter on ocean conservation.

Ahead of that Mrs May announced plans to ban all plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers in a dramatic bid to help clean up the world’s oceans.

Other topics expected to be discussed range from cyber security to trade between Commonwealth nations, with a dinner at Buckingham Palace tonight for the heads of state.

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