Queen Elizabeth and British Prime Minister Theresa May have called for Commonwealth countries to embrace free trade, as the United States raises trade barriers.
At the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, Ms May said the 53 member nations were working on better trade links.
"How we develop through trade, pushing back against protectionism, for a more prosperous Commonwealth," Ms May said in Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
Queen Elizabeth said the advantages of closer ties between Commonwealth countries was plain to see.
"An increasing emphasis on trade between our countries is helping us all to discover exciting new ways of doing business," she said.
The Queen said the Commonwealth started with just eight nations under her father King George VI in 1949, but now has more than 2.4 billion citizens.
"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," she said.
Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is finishing his term as Commonwealth chair and he called on his fellow leaders to give more freedom to the LGBTQ community.
"There are still too many of our sisters and brothers who are criminalised, discriminated against, or subject to violence," Mr Muscat.
Homosexuality is still illegal in more than half the Commonwealth countries.
The meeting will run for two days, and is focused on improving trade, security and looking after the world's oceans.
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