Commonwealth Peace Flag to be raised in St Albans
The Commonwealth’s Flag for Peace is to be raised in St Albans at a special ceremony on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March.
The occasion marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter by Queen Elizabeth II.
It will also be the first Commonwealth Day presided over by her son and successor, King Charles III.
The Flag for Peace features a white dove in the bottom right-hand corner of the Commonwealth flag which symbolises the shared values and principles of the Commonwealth.
These included co-operation on economic and social development, diversity, respect, friendship and the promotion of peace around the world.
Councillor Geoff Harrison, Mayor of St Albans City and District, will lead the ceremony from 10.45am on the balcony of St Albans Museum+ Gallery.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and watch from the street below.
The Town Crier Stephen Potter will read the Commonwealth Proclamation and there will be music from piper Stephen Marshall, of Harpenden Pipe Band, before the flag is raised.
Robert Voss CBE CStJ, the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Luther Blissett OBE, the Deputy Lieutenant, and John Hills, the Mayor’s Macebearer, will also be in attendance.
On the same day, the flag will be raised at cities across the UK and other Commonwealth nations.
Mayor Harrison said:
It will be an honour to raise the flag for such a worthwhile cause and I hope many of our residents will come along to watch and support the event.
There will be some sadness as we will reflect on Queen Elizabeth who was head of the Commonwealth for many decades, but there will also be much hope as we look to the future under King Charles and spread this important message of world peace.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said:
The Charter of the Commonwealth is a landmark document. It is the definitive expression of the values and aspirations of all Commonwealth countries.
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 recognise those values as we endeavour to live up to them.
Media Contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.