Carlisle to participate in Commonwealth celebrations

This is to support the Commonwealth of Nations Flag of Peace initiative ahead of Commonwealth Day 2023.

This will be the first presided over by King Charles III as head of the Commonwealth.

It also marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter which was signed by the late Queen on March 11, 2013.

The Commonwealth Flag for Peace features a white dove in the bottom right-hand corner, which symbolises, according to the Commonwealth itself, the shared values and principles of the Commonwealth, including cooperation on economic and social development, diversity, respect, friendship, and he promotion of peace around the world.

Speaking on the flag, the Commonwealth general secretary, Patricia Scotland, said: “The charter of the Commonwealth, signed on March 11, 2013, 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.”

Every city in the UK will receive a flag that they can choose to raise following short ceremonies on Commonwealth Day, Monday, March 13.

Some ceremonies will include a Commonwealth proclamation to be read by town criers, accompanied by fanfares, pipers and cathedral or church bells later that evening.

Flags for Peace will also be shared with every Commonwealth nation, with young people encouraged to participate in Commonwealth Day activities as part of the Commonwealth Year of Youth 2023.

The Commonwealth Flag for Peace initiative will be delivered in partnership with the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster, in tribute to the late Queen.