The Queen's Baton Relay is one of the great traditionsof the Commonwealth Games, having started at theGames in Cardiff, Wales, in 1958. The Baton is now asmuch a part of the Commonwealth Games tradition asthe torch is part of the Olympics.The relay traditionallybegins with a commencement ceremony at BuckinghamPalace, London, which coincides with the city'sCommonwealth Day festivities. There Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth II entrusts the baton containing Her'message to the athletes' to the first honorary relayrunner. The relay concludes at the Opening Ceremony,as the final relay runner hands the baton back to HerMajesty, or Her representative, and the message is readaloud. At that moment the Games begin