Commonwealth Day 2020 was celebrated on 9 March with events across five continents including flag parades, church services, poetry mornings, dance performances and much more.
The event was centred around the theme 'Delivering a Common Future', highlighting how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve some of its biggest goals like protecting natural resources and boosting trade.
Flag-raising ceremonies
Many people marked Commonwealth Day 2020 with flag raising ceremonies, which included readings of The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth's message on the significance of raising the Commonwealth flag on Commonwealth Day.
Multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey in London
The Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth, joined Secretary-General Patricia Scotland at Westminster Abbey for a multi-faith service to celebrate the day.
Highlights included performances from West-End star Alexandra Burke, and multi-platinum, multi-award winning singer-songwriter, Craig David.
World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua also spoke at the service.
Watch the service on the BBC's YouTube channel
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An annual reception to mark Commonwealth Day was held at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth’s headquarters in London today.
Entertainers and sporting stars joined Queen Elizabeth and other Royal Family members at a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey.
The Secretary-General has paid tribute to the 5 million Commonwealth women and men who volunteered to serve in the two World Wars of the twentieth century.
Affirmation and messages
Message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth
She touches on the theme of connectivity, mentioning how “advances in technology and modern media have now enabled many more people to witness and enjoy – with remarkable immediacy – the experience of Commonwealth connection, in areas such as education, medicine and conservation”
She ends by saying: “On this Commonwealth Day I hope that the people and countries of the Commonwealth will be inspired by all that we share, and move forward with fresh resolve to enhance the Commonwealth’s influence for good in our world.”
