Internet 'unaffordable' for too many, Queen tells Commonwealth

In her annual Commonwealth Day message, the monarch praised advances in science and technology for improving lives.

The Queen, who is known to have her own mobile phone, also spoke about the wide benefits of the hand-held devices.

The subject of the Monarch's address echoed the theme of this year's Commonwealth Day – science, technology, and society.

The Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, said: "Experimentation, research and innovation mean that more opportunities for improving people's lives exist today than ever before.

"Take long distance communication, where the obstacles of time and geography have been dramatically reduced: people can now use mobile phones to be in instant contact virtually anywhere in the world, be it with a medical centre in the Himalayan mountains in Asia, a Pacific island school, a research facility at the South Pole, or even the international space station, beyond this planet altogether.

"Advances in modern telecommunications are also having a marked economic effect on people from developing nations in the Commonwealth, helping to transform small to medium-sized businesses."

But the Queen stressed: "The internet is playing an important part in helping to nurture these fledgling markets but, as yet, it still remains an unaffordable option for too many of our Commonwealth citizens."

The Queen's pre-recorded words will form part of the annual Observance of Commonwealth Day service, held this afternoon at Westminster Abbey and attended also by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and a host of dignitaries.

Among the guests will be the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, whose country was admitted to the Commonwealth last year.

But a report published today said the institution was at risk of being marginalised unless its leadership becomes bolder and the family of nations is better funded.

The Commonwealth, made up of 54 member states, was once a major player on the world stage but it no longer has the ability to fulfil its potential, according to the report by the Royal Commonwealth Society.

In her address the Queen also highlighted the role member states' collaborative schemes had made in battling pandemics.

"Progress in the fields of healthcare, manufacturing and education have, for the most part, helped improve people's lives throughout the world.

"In the health sector, the Commonwealth has shown how collaborative schemes can successfully assist member states to fight pandemics and diseases.

"In making these advances the Commonwealth recognises that the best forms of innovation are those that unite, and help build resilient partnerships and better societies as a whole."

She urged the Commonwealth to encourage young people to fulfil their potential in terms of scientific expertise through education and social development.

Former sporting stars cricketer Brian Lara and footballer Dwight Yorke will be in London as part of Commonwealth Day, hosting a sports clinic in a school in Croydon, south London.