The Queens Baton Relay is one of the greatest traditions of the Commonwealth Games, having been the curtain-raiser to every Games since Cardiff 1958. The relay symbolizes the gathering of people from across the Commonwealth at the four-yearly festival of sport and culture. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The Relay traditionally begins at Buckingham Palace in London as a part of the city's Commonwealth Day festivities. The Queen entrusts the baton to the first relay runner. At the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to the Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games. Up until, and including, the 1994 Games, the Relay only went through England and the host nation. The Relay for the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was the first to travel to other nations of the Commonwealth. The 2002 Relay covered over 100,000 kilometres and went through 23 nations.