The annual ceremony to mark Commonwealth Day has been held at Kensington Town Hall.

The flag flying event on March 14 was attended by Victoria Borwick MP at the Kensington and Chelsea HQ in Hornton Street, and saw the Royal borough’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant, Lady Arnold, read a message from the Queen.

It was led by the borough mayor Robert Freeman , who said afterwards: “The annual ceremony of raising the Commonwealth Flag at the Town Hall was a reminder of the contribution of so many men and women from the Commonwealth in two world wars and of our common values and common heritage.”

The ceremony was also attended by deputy mayor Gerard Hargreaves, as well as councillors Marie-Therese Rossi , Tim Ahern, Will Pascall and Elizabeth Rutherford.

Harrow Council also marked the annual event with pupils from a local school and Gurkha veterans.

Pupils from Marlborough school joined the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Krishna Suresh in a special flag raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre on Monday to mark Commonwealth Day.

The ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ event is celebrated across commonwealth nations to recognise the value of the Commonwealth.

Gurkha veterans and members of the Royal Biritsh Legion joined Harrow Council for the commonwealth day flag raising
Gurkha veterans and members of the Royal Biritsh Legion joined Harrow Council for the commonwealth day flag raising

Cllr Krishna Suresh said: “Commonwealth Day is the international day for unity, understanding and tolerance and I am pleased that we celebrated this.

"Harrow is a great example of where everyone gets along regardless of their background, culture or religion – we should all be proud of this.

"I’d like to thank pupils from Marlborough school who joined me. I hope that you learnt about the importance of respect for one another and that you pass this knowledge onto peers."

Gurkha veterans, Harrow Council’s Chief Executive Michael Lockwood, Deputy Lieutenant John Purnell and members of the Royal British Legion also attended the flag raising event.

Hammersmith and Fulham Mayor Mercy Umeh raised the flag above Hammersmith Town Hall. She said: "It’s important to remember our links and shared values with Commonwealth communities across the globe and this ceremony is a poignant way of doing that."

The Commonwealth flag flies above Hammersmith Town Hall (Pic: LBHF)