Queen Elizabeth calls for peace, respect in Commonwealth speech

Queen Elizabeth II has called on all citizens of the Commonwealth nations to continue to promote peace by “defending the dignity’’ of all communities and individuals.

The Queen, in her annual message to the Commonwealth nations on Commonwealth Day, to promote this year's theme - "a peace-building Commonwealth," highlighted how respect and understanding for one another are the cornerstones of peace.

In her message to the more than 2.4 billion Commonwealth citizens, the Monarch who is in her 65th year as Queen an also the world’s longest-serving monarch talk up the “special connection’’ that exists between the citizens of the 52 nations that make up the Commonwealth.

She highlighted the symbolism of the Queen’s Baton relay, which will be sent off from London on Monday March 13 on a 388-day journey around the Commonwealth nations before arriving at the opening ceremony of the Gold Coast Games on April 4, 2018.

“This Commonwealth Day, a baton will set out from Buckingham Palace and begin a long and extraordinary journey,’’ the Queen’s message read.

"By upholding justice and the rule of law, and by striving for societies that are fair and offer opportunities for all, we overcome division and find reconciliation, so that the benefits of progress and prosperity may be multiplied and shared.

"As members of the Commonwealth family, we can find much to be thankful for in the inheritances we have received from those who came before us. Through consensus and co-operation, great things have been achieved."