Jamaica has become the latest nation to welcome the Gold Coast 2018 Queen's Baton ©JOA

Jamaica has become the 12th Caribbean nation to receive the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton.

The Baton was welcomed by Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sport.

Grange expressed her hope the Games could one day return to the country, which hosted the multi-sport event for the only time in Kingston back in 1966.

"Jamaica is pleased to participate in the Queen's Baton Relay as a proud member of the Commonwealth," she said, according to the Jamaica Gleaner.

"Our country has had a proud record in the Commonwealth Games - winning more than 130 medals from 16 games to be ranked 12th on the all-time medal tally.

"We hope to, one day, host the Games again and welcome our brothers and sisters from across the Commonwealth to our beautiful island."

The Baton was then transported to the King’s House, where it was received by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

It is expected to travel to Newcastle, where the Jamaica Defence Force is based, before heading to May Pen, Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

The Baton will return to Kingston on Sunday (July 9), before heading to the Turks and Caicos Islands for four days, then taking in the Cayman Islands.

The Bahamas will then host the Baton from July 18 to 23, when the country stages the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau.

It will depart the following day.

Newly elected Jamaica Olympic Association President Christopher Samuda was among those to greet the Baton ©JOA
Newly elected Jamaica Olympic Association President Christopher Samuda was among those to greet the Baton ©JOA

The Baton recently spent time in St Kitts and Nevis, where it was greeted by the country’s Prime Minister Timothy Harris.

"The world tour of the Queen’s Baton Relay is an opportunity for our citizens and residents to come up close and personal with the iconic symbol of the Games," he said.

It was then taken through Independence Square on a relay, which finished at Wingfield Estate, one of the island’s oldest sugar plantations.

Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands then hosted the Baton before it headed to Jamaica.

It carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that calls the Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in a peaceful and friendly competition.

The relay began at Buckingham Palace in London at the start of March.

The message will be taken from the Baton and read at the Opening Ceremony of Gold Coast 2018 on April 4.