King and Queen emerge from Tardis to open Glasgow Commonwealth Games ting fromThe Hydro, GlasgowPublished23 July 2026King Charles and Queen Camilla emerged from a Tardis at the start of a spectacular Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow.The royal couple drew gasps and cheers from the audience at the Hydro as they appeared on a stage that had been turned into a giant garden.Flags from 74 nations and territories were carried into the arena during the event, which also featured the Loch Ness monster and performances from Nathan Evans, Tom Walker and KT Tunstall. The show celebrated the story of Glasgow - from its industrial past to its vibrant nightlife - ahead of a Games that will see 215 medals awarded across 10 sports. Team Scotland into the arenaPrime Minister Andy Burnham, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth were among the dignitaries in the royal box for a show that lasted two hours and 20 minutes.Glasgow, which hosted the event in 2014, stepped in to stage it for a second time after the Australian state Victoria pulled out due to soaring costs.Although on a smaller scale to previous editions, the 23rd Games will see a record 47 para-sports events. sformed into a magical Scottish gardenIn a surreal opening scene, six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy emerged from the Tardis to cheers before he was, to the audience's surprise, followed by the King and Queen.It 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.After the royal couple took their seats an 18-strong Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Chorus entered, stood among the garden paths, and sang God Save The King.King Charles, Queen Camilla & PM Burnham watch athletes parade at Commonwealth GamesGlasgow set to welcome the world for scaled-back Commonwealth GamesPublished22 JulyThen, for the first time in Commonwealth Games history, the athletes took centre stage by parading into the arena before the ceremony fully got under way.The African nations led the way with Botswana the first to enter the Hydro.The segment was titled Ceud Míle Fáilte - Scottish-Gaelic for "a hundred thousand welcomes". m Heughan posed with a giant model of the Loch Ness MonsterThis year there was no baton relay across the Commonwealth but each of the 74 nations and territories was given a wooden baton to decorate.As they entered, the team's baton bearer handed the baton to one of three gardeners on stage.It is was then planted on stage to create a colourful garden.
The soundtrack, by Skye-based Valstos, fused trad and electronic music and mixed in samples from the country's musical traditions.Organisers said it was designed to be "a symbol of common ground, bringing a piece of every nation and territory into a shared celebration of the natural world that connects us all."The last baton was brought in by Team Scotland, who received the loudest cheer of the night as they were led in by Alex Marshall - who has won five Commonwealth gold medals in bowls - and judo champion Sarah Adlington. oa roared onto the stageAfter the parade, a piper appeared in a spotlight and played a single note. The Loch Ness monster appeared on screen before being magically coaxed on to the stage by Outlander star Sam Heughan.Pipers and drummers, including in the upper decks of the arena, delivered a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland.The focus then switched to a day in the life of the host city, with a dance section featuring the famous Glasgow Central Station clock.People mimicked the 10 sports that will be played during the Games. ttie was one of the stars of the nightNathan Evans - who shot to fame with his sea shanty Wellerman in 2021 - entered and began to sing with the Saint PHNX Band.The song took over the station scene like a flash mob and unleashed the joy of its message: Scotland is a place called home.Three city guides then told the story of Glasgow, using staging inspired by Scotland's pioneering textile industry and the River Clyde's shipbuilding heritage.The city's legendary nightlife was celebrated with a section that paid tribute to venues such as the Barrowland Ballroom and the Sub Club.Singer Callum Beattie then appeared - flanked by dancing silver unicorns and stars - and sang Scotland's unofficial football anthem, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie by Baccara.Team Scotland got to their feet and soon athletes from every nation were showing off their best dance moves in a moment to remember. yed their entranceThe mood became more sombre as the Commonwealth Sport flag was raised after a procession involving members of the armed forces.Three Team Scotland representatives - Paul Foster (bowls), Robyn Love (3x3 Wheelchair Basketball) and former athletics manager Leslie Roy - then took the Commonwealth oath. n watched on with Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Scotland's First Minister John SwinneyDr Donald Rukare, president of Commonwealth Sport, told the audience the "extraordinary legacy" of Glasgow 2014 had made the "reimagined Games" possible.The Ugandan - who was wearing a Wallace tartan kilt in his country's colours - thanked those who had made the multi-sports event possible.He added: "For the next 11 days, 74 nations and territories, thousands of athletes and supporters, and countless cultures and stories come together
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