While you were struggling to get out of bed and make coffee on Monday morning, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II spent a few hours celebrating the unity of the 52 countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations (all in a day's work, right?). The 90-year-old monarch arrived outside Buckingham Palace with husband Prince Philip, Prince Edward, and Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin to launch the queen's baton relay for the Xxi Commonwealth Games. Although she usually keeps a pretty straight face, the queen flashed a big smile while handing off the baton to retired Australian cyclist Anna Meares. The event follows the queen's message about building "peace by defending the dignity of every individual and community." Her hand-off of the baton signals the start of the relay's 388-day journey around the Commonwealth. Eventually the relay will end when the baton arrives at the opening ceremony of the Gold Coast Games...
- 3/13/2017
- by Quinn Keaney
- Popsugar.com
Happy Commonwealth Day! Queen Elizabeth launched the Commonwealth Baton Relay on Monday outside of Buckingham Palace in London.
Her Royal Majesty addressed the crowd as she participated in the first step of the 12-month journey for the baton.
Getty Images
Watch: Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, Prince William, and More Royals Honor Veterans With Memorial
“Contained within the Baton will be a written message that will be opened and read at the Commonwealth Games in Australia next year,” the 90-year-old royal said, addressing the crowd. “However, there is an even more powerful message to be seen and experienced as the Baton passes from hand to hand, from seashore to mountaintop, through cities, towns, and villages. It is the message of a peace-building Commonwealth.”
The baton will travel to all continents and visit all 70 countries in the Commonwealth. It will be carried by thousands of different people from different countries and backgrounds.
The [link=tt...
Her Royal Majesty addressed the crowd as she participated in the first step of the 12-month journey for the baton.
Getty Images
Watch: Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, Prince William, and More Royals Honor Veterans With Memorial
“Contained within the Baton will be a written message that will be opened and read at the Commonwealth Games in Australia next year,” the 90-year-old royal said, addressing the crowd. “However, there is an even more powerful message to be seen and experienced as the Baton passes from hand to hand, from seashore to mountaintop, through cities, towns, and villages. It is the message of a peace-building Commonwealth.”
The baton will travel to all continents and visit all 70 countries in the Commonwealth. It will be carried by thousands of different people from different countries and backgrounds.
The [link=tt...
- 3/13/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.