Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations, held on the second Monday in March. While the date holds some official status in select member states of the Commonwealth, observances of the date are not uniform across the Commonwealth, and the date is not celebrated as a public holiday in most Commonwealth countries.
Flags of member states of the Commonwealth of Nations flying at Parliament Square in London on Commonwealth Day, 2009
A Canadian postmark issued on Commonwealth Day 1983
King George VI gives his Empire Day address in Winnipeg, 1939.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day 2020
The Head of the Commonwealth is the ceremonial leader who symbolises "the free association of independent member nations" of the Commonwealth of Nations, an intergovernmental organisation that currently comprises 56 sovereign states. There is no set term of office or term limit and the role itself has no constitutional relevance to any of the member states within the Commonwealth. The position is currently held by King Charles III.
Head of the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth prime ministers with King George VI at Buckingham Palace for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference, 1949
Queen Elizabeth II with the prime ministers of the Commonewalth, including Kwame Nkrumah (third from right), at Windsor Castle, May 1960
Elizabeth II's Canadian title, showing the Head of the Commonwealth, on the royal proclamation of the National Flag of Canada
