Queen Elizabeth II Opens Glasgow Commonwealth Games

The twentieth edition of the Commonwealth Games were officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II last night, at Celtic Park in Glasgow.

Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Queen was guest of honour at the opening ceremony, which featured performances by Sir Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle, lots of kilts and plaid, an inflatable Loch Ness monster, dancing teacakes and dozens of adorable Scottish Highland terriers.

Following a minute of silence in honour of the MH17 disaster victims (the Malaysian delegation all wore black armbands as they marched into the stadium, and their flag was hung at half-mast), Sir Chris Hoy was the final member of the baton relay, where he presented it to the Queen and Prince Imran of Malaysia, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

After Prince Imran had a little difficulty in opening the baton to retrieve the Queen’s speech, it was time for the Games to be officially opened. Queen Elizabeth spoke of the meaning of the Commonwealth, and how the baton relay “represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth, and serves as a reminder of a our shared values.”

Fireworks then kicked off what will be eleven days of sporting competition. Members of the Royal Family are expected to attend at various points of the Games.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Commonwealth Games, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Glasgow 2014, Scotland, Sport, The Countess of Wessex, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Earl of Wessex, The Prince of Wales.

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