LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth launched the 2018 Commonwealth Games baton relay on Monday as the South African city of Durban lost the right to host the 2022 edition of the multi-sport event. The baton was given to Australia's double Olympic champion Anna Meares by Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace, before being processed through Westminster Abbey by 2012 British Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill. The theme of the Commonwealth Service was "a Peace-building Commonwealth." "The cornerstones on which peace is founded are, quite simply, respect and understanding for one another," the Queen wrote in her Commonwealth Day message. Singer-songwriter Cody Simpson, who hails from the Gold Coast, performed at Monday's ceremony.

Source: The Star March 13, 2017 15:56 UTC