The Prince of Wales said he felt proud and privileged to be part of the "family of nations" as he hosted a Commonwealth heads dinner in Sri Lanka.
Charles, who is presiding over the Heads of Government Meeting in the Queen's absence in Columbo, told prime ministers and presidents from across the globe that the organisation was in his blood.
Earlier, launching the three-day summit in Sri Lanka, he spoke of his trust in the Commonwealth to bring a "touch of healing" to the world's troubles.
He made no reference to the alleged human rights abuses committed by Sri Lanka's regime towards the end of a bitter civil war in 2009. The issue is overshadowing the biennial summit, with the prime ministers of India, Canada and Mauritius boycotting Chogm in protest.
Amnesty International has urged the prince to raise the issue privately with Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka's president defended the end of the civil war with the Tamil Tiger separatists, telling dignitaries: "In ending terrorism in 2009 we asserted the greatest human right, the right to life."
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