Every year, on the second Monday of March, the Commonwealth of Nations celebrates Commonwealth Day. The goal is to unite 2.5 billion Commonwealth citizens and celebrate their shared principles and values. It also aims to ensure a future of peace.
The day was initially convieced in the 1890s as Empire Day and was renamed Commonwealth Day in 1958. While originally held on Queen Victoria’s birthday, 24 May, or the last weekday preceding it, the date was moved to the second Monday in March in 1977.
Around the Commonwealth, cities will host multi-cultural and inter-faith observances. One of the largest gatherings will be at London’s Westminster Abbey where senior government officials and other dignitaries join The King. Being diagnosed earlier this year with cancer, His Majesty will not be in attendance. Rather, the Palace announced the 75-year-old will pre-record message to play during the service. This year’s theme is “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth.”
More than 2,000 people are expected to be in attendance including Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales. Other members of the Royal Family set to attend include the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
