Diversity was celebrated by the Queen in her annual Commonwealth Day message, 12 Monday, as she called it a cause for 'strength and unity'.

|PIC1|She called on people to try to respect and understand each other better in a "difficult" world, the BBC reports.

In addition, the Commonwealth was commended in the Queen's message, saying its shared beliefs and values result in greater security and prosperity.

The speech formed part of the Observance service at Westminster Abbey.

Other speakers included the Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who was presented to the Queen at the service.

Ms Shetty won Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year after suffering alleged racism on the show.

The theme for this year's Commonwealth Day celebrations is "The Commonwealth - respecting difference, promoting understanding".

The Queen focused on the benefits of the Commonwealth, which she sees as being a collection of villages.

"In close-knit communities like these, there are beliefs and values
we share and cherish," she said.

"We know that helping others will lead to greater security and prosperity for ourselves.

"Because we feel this way, our governments and peoples aim to work even more closely together.

"And as individuals, we find that taking part in Commonwealth activities can be inspirational and personally rewarding.

"In today's difficult and sometimes divided world, I believe that it is more important than ever to keep trying to respect and understand each other better."

She will also said that people should see each other as being individuals who are special.

"The more we see others in this way, the more we can understand
them and their points of view.

"In what we think and say and do, let us as individuals actively
seek out the views of others, let us make the best use of what our beliefs and history teach us.

"Let us have open minds and hearts and let us, like the Commonwealth, find our diversity a cause for celebration and a source for strength and unity."

The speech concluded: "This is a thought worth bearing in mind as we gather on Commonwealth Day. We are a thriving community, we value our past, we make the most of our present and we are working together to build our future.

"By respecting difference and promoting understanding, the future will be a better one for us all."