Longtime readers of Confucius of Oxford know that my assessment of the British Empire has always been largely positive, mainly because the Empire was good for Singapore, even if it was exploitative elsewhere. It's hard, as a loyal Singaporean, to condemn the Empire when one is very conscious of the indisputably positive effect Empire has had on Singapore. I've seen with my own eyes the negative effects of Empire elsewhere, and I appreciate that, but it was good to my country.

So an occasion such as Commonwealth Day, to me, is an occasion to celebrate, and I'd like to wish all my readers a Happy Commonwealth Day!

Here's a photo from the Commonwealth Day observance at Westminster Abbey:

Eagle-eyed viewers may spot me... I'm sitting next to the Singapore flag and just a bit and to the right behind Prince Charles.