In her speech, the Queen said: "It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day The Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949."

Hannah Furness, royal correspondent at the Daily Telegraph newspaper, said the message from the Queen was the clearest signal yet about the future of the head of the commonwealth.

"Her highly significant speech, met with warm applause, is the most explicit statement she has made to date of her hopes for the Commonwealth's future, and the honorary and not hereditary position of its head," wrote Furness.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking at the opening ceremony, said the meeting was taking place at a time of significant global challenges.

"The rules-based international system, which has consistently delivered both prosperity and peace, faces threats in many forms and on many fronts," said May.

"Climate change and extreme weather continue to take lives and damage livelihoods across the Commonwealth. And the new opportunities afforded by the digital world have brought with them new risks, with our cyber security under attack from individuals and state actors."