by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday in March. However, there is not a worldwide uniform observance of the day in the member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, and it is not celebrated as a public holiday in most Commonwealth countries. Events which include the British Royal Family are held in London.

What is the Commonwealth of Nations?

Current member states in dark blue, Partially suspended member state in green, Former member states in orange, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies in light blue; Credit – Wikipedia

Originally created as the British Commonwealth of Nations through the Balfour Declaration of 1926 at the 1926 Imperial Conference in London, the Commonwealth of Nations is an international association of currently 56 member countries, most of which were former territories of the British Empire.

The Head of the Commonwealth is a ceremonial leader who symbolizes “the free association of independent member nations” of the Commonwealth of Nations and keeps in touch with Commonwealth developments through regular contact with the Commonwealth Secretary General and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Head of the Commonwealth is not formally hereditary. The Commonwealth heads of government choose the successors. Once in office, there is no term limit. The Head of the Commonwealth has no constitutional role in any Commonwealth countries except the United Kingdom if the Head of the Commonwealth is also Sovereign of the United Kingdom. The first Head of the Commonwealth, chosen in 1949, was King George VI. Since then his successors as Sovereign of the United Kingdom, his daughter Queen Elizabeth II, and his grandson King Charles III, have been chosen as Head of the Commonwealth.

What is the history of Commonwealth Day?

Commonwealth Day traces its origins to Empire Day, an event initially created to celebrate the British Empire. It was originally observed on Queen Victoria’s birthdate, May 24th, or the last weekday before it. In the latter half of the 20th century, the celebration’s focus shifted towards emphasizing the modern Commonwealth of Nations, with the event being renamed Commonwealth Day in 1958, and its date moved in 1977 to the second Monday in March.

What happens on Commonwealth Day?

Members of the British Royal Family attend the 2024 Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey. King Charles III was unable to attend due to his cancer treatment.

Events and speeches each year focus on a theme. Past themes can be seen at Wikipedia: Commonwealth Day themes.

The Head of the Commonwealth, now King Charles III, broadcasts the Commonwealth Day Message throughout the entire Commonwealth of Nations. In some Commonwealth countries, the message is sometimes followed by a speech from a member country’s president, prime minister, or another senior government minister. The Commonwealth Secretary-General also issues a statement.

King Charles III (on left) delivers his Commonwealth Day Message during the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 13, 2023

Royal Family members along with 2,000 people attend an inter-denominational Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey in London. They listen to reflections on the year’s theme and view performances by artists from throughout the Commonwealth of Nations. The Head of the Commonwealth delivers their Commonwealth Day Message as King Charles III did in 2023.

Guests watch a video of King Charles III delivering his Commonwealth Day Message during the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London, on March 11, 2024

In 2024, King Charles II could not attend in person due to his cancer treatment, and a video of his Commonwealth Day Message was played during the service. Attending the service in 2024 were Queen Camilla, The Prince of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent.

King Charles III shakes hands with former British Prime Minister John Major during the Commonwealth Day Reception at Buckingham Palace in 2023

Later in the day, the Commonwealth Day Reception is held for members of the Commonwealth and diplomatic communities. In 2023, King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the first Commonwealth Day Reception of King Charles III’s reign at Buckingham Palace where they were joined by The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. In 2024, Queen Camilla attended the Commonwealth Day reception at Marlborough House, the international headquarters of the Commonwealth, where the reception is traditionally held.

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Works Cited

• Celebrating 75 years of the Modern Commonwealth. (n.d.). https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/celebrating-75-years-of-the-commonwealth
• Celebrating the Commonwealth. Westminster Abbey. (n.d.). https://www.westminster-abbey.org/history/explore-our-history/celebrating-the-commonwealth
• Commonwealth. Westminster Abbey. (n.d.-c). https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/special-services/commonwealth-at-the-abbey
• Commonwealth Day. Commonwealth. (n.d.). https://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-day
• Commonwealth Day 2024. The Royal Family. (n.d.-b). https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2024-03-11/commonwealth-day-2024
• Members of the Royal Family Celebrate Commonwealth Day at the Abbey. (2024). Westminster Abbey. https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-news/commonwealth-day-service-2024
• Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Commonwealth Day. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Day
• Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Commonwealth of Nations. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations