Preparing to raise the Commonwealth flag

Flags will be flown across the world on Monday 14 March to mark Commonwealth Day 2016.

Commonwealth Day provides an opportunity to reflect upon Great Britain’s membership of this world-wide family of nations.

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, originator and Commonwealth Pageantmaster of 'Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’, said: "I am amazed how quickly this event has caught the public imagination.  We are only in our third year, and the involvement of so many people shows the enormous potential of this project and of the Commonwealth.  We also celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday on 21 April this year; a special occasion for the Commonwealth too, especially as the Queen is its head. 

The ceremonies will all take place at 10am local time, and so the celebration will begin with the raising of the Commonwealth flag in Tonga.  Reflecting the breadth of the Commonwealth, it won’t be until thirteen hours later, at 10am Greenwich Mean Time, that flags will be raised across Britain, including three in King’s Lynn – one at the Custom House, one at the town hall and one at King’s Court.