By Mete Erducan and Baron Henri Estramant.
Every year the fifty-three Commonwealth nations commemorate their special affiliation by celebrating a “Commonwealth Day”.
The “Commonwealth of Nations” is an intergovernmental institution of 53 member states, which mostly belong to the group of former dominions, protectorates and territories of the British Empire. To celebrate this institution, Commonwealth Day is held annually on the second Monday of March. This year the event was commemorated on March 9, 2015. It is traditionally marked by a multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey, and therefore attended by The Head of the Commonwealth; Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Kamelesh Sharma, who is also the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.
This year it was focused on the theme ‘A Young Commonwealth’. The festivities included music and lectures from several people from the Commonwealth nations, the most famous being Her Majesty the Queen herself.
Her Majesty stressed the special privilege the Commonwealth nations possess for the possibility of cooperation on a very advanced level; in her own words ‘One simple lesson from history, when people come together to talk, to exchange ideas, and to develop common goals. Wonderful things can happen’.
A diplomatic reception was given by the Commonwealth’s Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma at Marlborough House, London. Amongst the most prominent guests were The Head of the Commonwealth, HRH The Prince of Wales, and Malta’s President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband Edgar. President Coleiro Preca met with Her Majesty The Queen and other Commonwealth dignitaries to discuss the forthcoming “Commonwealth Heads of State and Government” summit to be held in Malta in November 2015.
