The Commonwealth flag has been raised across Norfolk, part of a new national initiative to show dedication to the global family of nations.
The blue flag was hoisted above town halls in Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Thorpe St Andrew, Long Stratton, Dereham, King's Lynn, and Cromer at 10am today.
It was also raised by the Queen outside Westminster Abbey in London where members of the royal family attended a Commonwealth Day service.
Gorleston pageant master Bruno Peek, who helped co-ordinate the raising of 500 flags across Britain, was on hand to help.
Mr Peek, who masterminded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee beacon lighting in 2012, organised the UK-wide flag raising event from his home in east Norfolk and was proud to say that the region's district and town councils were among the first to sign up.
From Commonwealth Day 2015, Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth will become an annual occasion, involving all the other 52 Commonwealth countries.
Mr Peek hopes it will grow in size and stature over the next few years, until it becomes the largest single event involving the communities of the Commonwealth, outside of the Commonwealth Games.
In a special Commonwealth Day message to the world, the Queen, the head of the Commonwealth, said: 'Experiences of life differ widely throughout the Commonwealth, and we each make contributions from sometimes very different viewpoints. But we are committed to the same goals. Together we offer each other encouragement and draw strength from this mutual support.
'The understanding that we belong together, and are able, through teamwork, to achieve far more than we could do alone, has always been at the heart of our approach. For all of us this is now captured in the Commonwealth Charter which sets out the values and principles which guide and motivate us.'
- Pictures copyright Sandra Rowse/www.sandrarowsephotography.com.
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