Commonwealth Day Message of The Queen

At 10.00am on Commonwealth Day, the Commonwealth flag was raised at Bristol’s City Hall by Dr Rizvan Javed, Commonwealth Scholar studying at the University of Bristol, in the company of the Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol Mrs Peaches Golding OBE, the Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr Mrs Lesley Alexander and her Sword-bearer Mr Peter Watts.  The Lord-Lieutenant read the Commonwealth Day Message of Her Majesty the Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth, written on the theme of ‘Towards a Common Future’.  The Queen highlighted 'the special value in the insights we gain through the Commonwealth connection; shared inheritances help us overcome differences so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division.’  The Queen also emphasised how the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings taking place in London and Windsor in April 2018 ‘are themselves fine examples of how consensus and commitment can help to create a future that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous and sustainable.'  She also focused on the importance of sport in building peace and development and of voluntary effort.  ‘By pledging to serve the common good in new ways, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to grow in scope and stature, to have an even greater impact on people’s lives, today, and for future generations.'