King and Queen emerge from Tardis to begin Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
King Charles III arrives alongside Sir Chris Hoy (right) during the opening ceremony for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday July 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
By Craig Meighan and Neil Pooran, Press Association Scotland
The King and Queen made a dramatic entrance to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as they strode out of the Tardis at the beginning of the opening ceremony.
As the 11-day sporting extravaganza gets under way, Charles and Camilla had a prominent role in the show at the Hydro arena in Glasgow.
King Charles III arrives alongside Sir Chris Hoy (right) during the opening ceremony for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday July 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete across 10 sports and six Para sports.
During the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony in Glasgow, unicorn mascot Finnie entertained the crowd and Scottish wrestler Grado made an appearance in a teacake costume.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Prime Minister Andy Burnham with his wife Marie-France van Heel and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during the opening ceremony for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday July 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.
RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
The show then began with a clip of Doctor Who’s famous telephone box going on a journey around Scotland.
The Tardis was piloted by cycling star Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh.
The Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, was somewhat confused by their efforts.
It eventually reaches Balmoral Castle, after visiting several famous Scottish landmarks.
The Tardis then materialised inside the Hydro arena, appearing on an onstage garden.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla after stepping out of the TARDIS during the opening ceremony for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday July 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.
RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
Charles and Camilla emerged from the Tardis, making their way down a ramp before taking up 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 the reception, as did Scottish First Minister John Swinney and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games is not the first time a monarch has made a memorable entrance to a major sporting event’s opening ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth II famously took part in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, appearing to skydive into the stadium from a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig, after he escorted her from Buckingham Palace.
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, in which she revealed that she kept marmalade sandwiches – Paddington’s favourite treat – in her handbag.
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23rd July 2026
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