When is Commonwealth Day 2018?
The annual celebration is observed every year across the world on the second Monday of March and this year falls on March 12.
Commonwealth Day brings together people from countries in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
The theme of this year’s celebrations is ‘Towards a Common Future’.
The Commonwealth association said: “‘Towards a Common Future’ renews our Commonwealth vision and commitment to building on the individual and collective strengths of all member countries to respond to global challenges, and deliver a more prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair future for all of our citizens, particularly our young people.
This year Commonwealth Day also precedes the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is set tot take place between April 16 and April 20 in London.
The meeting will bring together the heads of the 53 nations in the Commonwealth to work towards a future of peace and prosperity.
Why do we celebrate Commonwealth Day?
More than 2.4 billion people live in the 53 nations that make the Commonwealth, accounting for 30 percent of the world’s population.
The celebration was originally known as Empire Day and was first celebrated on May 24 1902 – Queen Victoria’s birthday.
But Empire Day was not officially recognised as an annual event until 1916, by which time it was already observed in schools across the nation.
However with the decline of the British Empire in the 1950s, the holiday was rebranded in 1958 to reflect Britain’s shifting relationship with the rest of the world.
Commonwealth Day’s date changed several times between 1958 and 1977, even at one point took place on Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday in June.
Today Commonwealth Day is a reminder of the bonds between Britain and its closest allies.
Ahead of the celebrations the Queen shared her Commonwealth Day message of hope for a better future.
The Queen said: “We all have reason to give thanks for the numerous ways in which our lives are enriched when we learn from others.
“Through exchanging ideas, and seeing life from other perspectives, we grow in understanding and work more collaboratively towards a common future.
“There is a very special value in the insights we gain through the Commonwealth connection; shared inheritances help us overcome difference so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division.”
How is Commonwealth Day celebrated?
Schools across the Commonwealth will mark the date with assemblies, flag raising ceremonies, parties, debates and all sorts of other fun activities.
Commonwealth Day is also a date for civic and inter-faith gatherings, which will be headed by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family attending a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
As the head of the Commonwealth, the Queen will be accompanied by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Kate and William as well as Prince Harry and his fiancé Meghan Markle.
The Commonwealth Service will feature live readings and music, including a special performance from former One Direction member Liam Payne.
BBC One will broadcast the entire Commonwealth Service at 2.45pm on Monday, live from Westminster Abbey.
The service will begin with a procession of the Commonwealth Flags – a procession of flags from around the world.
After the service, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join Harry and Meghan for the annual reception.
Meanwhile Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester will pay a visit to Malawi where he will meet several Government officials.