King Charles and Queen Camilla made a dramatic entrance to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, striding out of the Tardis at the beginning of the opening ceremony. The 11-day sporting extravaganza got under way at the Hydro arena, with Charles and Camilla playing a prominent role in the show.
Opening ceremony highlights
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete across 10 sports and six Para sports. During the pre-show, unicorn mascot Finnie entertained the crowd and Scottish wrestler Grado appeared in a teacake costume.
The show began with a clip of Doctor Who’s famous telephone box travelling around Scotland. The Tardis was piloted by cycling star Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh, while the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, appeared confused by their efforts. After visiting several famous Scottish landmarks, the Tardis reached Balmoral Castle before materialising inside the Hydro arena on an onstage garden.
Royal role
Charles and Camilla emerged from the Tardis, walked down a ramp, and took seats in the royal box. Charles will formally open the games in his role as Head of the Commonwealth, the ceremonial leader of the association of 56 nations. Earlier, the King attended a reception where he met baton bearers representing the regions of the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France Van Heel also attended, as did Scottish First Minister John Swinney and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Memorable monarch entrances
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games is not the first time a monarch has made a memorable entrance at a major sporting event’s opening ceremony. Queen Elizabeth II famously appeared to skydive into the stadium from a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig during the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. Her stunt double leapt above the arena in a dress with sown-in Victorian-style bloomers and a large zip at the back to accommodate his parachute. The late Queen also appeared in a comedy sketch with a digitally animated Paddington Bear to mark her Platinum Jubilee, revealing she kept marmalade sandwiches in her handbag.
