United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ Commonwealth member nations are asked to support the Commonwealth of Nations Flag for Peace project throughout the commonwealth prior to Commonwealth Day 2023, which will be His Majesty King Charles III’s first commonwealth participation as King and Head of the Commonwealth. On Commonwealth Day, Monday, March 13th, each city in the United Kingdom will get a flag that they may choose to fly after short ceremonies.
Commonwealth Day 2023 also commemorates the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter on 11th March 2013 by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Commonwealth Flag for Peace shows a white dove of peace in the bottom right corner of the Commonwealth flag, representing the common values and principles of the Commonwealth, including cooperation on economic and social growth, diversity, respect, friendship, and the promotion of world peace.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, expressed delight over the launch of the Commonwealth Flag for Peace. She said, “The Charter of the Commonwealth, signed on 11th March 2013, is a landmark document. It is the definitive expression of the values and aspirations of all Commonwealth countries.” She added, “Assessed against our own history, and against the vast history of human struggle and progress, the Commonwealth is closer to those values than ever before. So while the whole Commonwealth celebrates the tenth anniversary of the signing of our Charter, the Flag for Peace is a fitting way to recognize those values as we endeavor to live up to them.”
As part of the Commonwealth Year of Youth 2023, Flags for Peace will be presented to all Commonwealth nations, and youths will be motivated to take part in Commonwealth Day festivities. Some events will feature the reading of a Commonwealth Proclamation by town criers, along with fanfares, pipers, and cathedral or church bells in the evening. In remembrance of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Commonwealth Flag for Peace event will be organized in collaboration with the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster. Since her demise, this will be the first Commonwealth Day.
