It might not be immediately familiar, but the striking blue and yellow flag flying above Marlborough Town Hall today (Monday) is the Commonwealth Flag.
More than 850 flags have been raised across the Commonwealth as each country reaches 10am to mark Commonwealth Day.
The Polynesian sovereign state of Tonga – known as ‘the country where time begins’, because of its place on the International Date Line – was the first country to hoist its flag.
The Commonwealth flag initiative is now in its third year, and is being celebrated across the UK and in the 53 countries that make up the Commonwealth, from Australia to Zambia.
This year’s Commonwealth theme is An Inclusive Commonwealth, referring to the values of tolerance, respect and understanding, as well as equity and fairness, set out in the Commonwealth Charter.
Lord Howell, president of The Royal Commonwealth Society, said today: “The Royal Commonwealth Society is proud to be associated with Fly a Flag on Commonwealth Day and welcomes the flying of the Commonwealth Flag over public buildings throughout the whole Commonwealth network.
“Flying the Flag brings us all together in a great family of Nations, seeking to work together to help a troubled world.”