At precisely 10.00 a.m. today (Monday, 14 March 2016), Her Excellency the Governor, Helen Kilpatrick, CB hoisted the blue and yellow colours of the Commonwealth flag in front of the Government Administration Building (GAB).

As part of the ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ initiative, the Cayman Islands for the first time joined Commonwealth countries and organisations in raising the Commonwealth flag to celebrate Commonwealth Day.

Emceed by the Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Samuel Rose, JP, the Cayman Islands programme included a reading of the Commonwealth Affirmation by the Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP. Meanwhile Honorary Representative of the Royal Commonwealth Society in the Cayman Islands, Mr. Lemuel Hurlston, CVO, MBE, JP, read a message from Commonwealth Secretary General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma.

Organised by the Protocol Office, “Fly a Flag” will become an annual event in the Cayman Islands, Protocol Coordinator Meloney Syms said. The flag is planned to fly for 24 hours without a break and will be lit at night in keeping with flag-flying protocol, Ms. Syms added.

This was the third year of the global event, which is promoted by the Commonwealth Secretariat in the United Kingdom (UK). More than 850 flags were scheduled to be raised around the world.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Flags flying high on Fly a Flag Day in observance of Commonwealth Day

Photo 2: Her Excellency, Governor Helen Kilpatrick raises the Commonwealth Flag

Photo 3: Lemuel Hurlstone reads a message from the Commonwealth Secretary-General

Photo 4: Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin reads the Commonwealth Affirmation