The charter, dubbed a ‘21st Century Commonwealth Magna Carta’ declares: ‘We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.’ 
 
 The ‘other grounds’ is intended to refer to sexuality – but specific reference to ‘gays and lesbians’ was omitted in deference to Commonwealth countries with draconian anti-gay laws. While some observers believe the queen's signing of the Commonwealth Charter signals her implicit support for gay rights and women's equality, a Buckingham Palace official said the monarch is merely carrying out her official duties. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘In this charter, the Queen is endorsing a decision taken by the Commonwealth.’ But he added: ‘The Queen does not take a personal view on these issues. The Queen’s position is apolitical, as it is on all matters of this sort.’ 
 
 The charter is a clear indication of the Queen's support for equal accession rights as a change in the law is 
 
 
 
 The Commonwealth Charter is the first time the Queen has signalled her support for gay rights in her 61-year reign 
 
 She will sign the document at London’s Marlborough House, the Pall Mall HQ of the Commonwealth Secretariat tomorrow, Commonwealth Day. With the Duchess of Cambridge about five months’ pregnant, the change in the law could have a crucial effect. Some of the worst persecution of gay people in the world takes place in Commonwealth countries as a result of the British Empire.’ 
 
 And he said her support for ‘women’s empowerment’ led to the ‘inescapable conclusion that she supports equal rights of accession’. The charter is still only a symbolic step for many of the 54 countries because homosexuality is still illegal in 41 of the nations in the British Commonwealth.
– Still on the mend after a brief hospitalization, Queen Elizabeth won't make it to a celebration of the British Commonwealth today, CNN reports. Still, her health issues are "nothing to fret about," says a Buckingham Palace insider, and in another ceremony tonight, she'll sign a historic document opposing discrimination throughout the Commonwealth's 54 countries. "We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief, or other grounds," reads the charter, which the Daily Mail notes that some are taking as a nod to gay rights. It also comes as the UK looks to tweak ascension law to allow firstborn girls to take the throne, of particular relevance if Prince William and Kate have a daughter. But lest anyone get carried away, "The Queen is apolitical and is signing the document in her capacity as head of the Commonwealth," says a palace insider. Still, she has recorded a message to be played at today's Westminster Abbey event citing "shared values of peace, democracy, development, justice, and human rights." The charter could face challenges in places like Uganda, which bans homosexual acts, notes ABC News.