King Charles and Queen Camilla emerge from Tardis to open 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

A royal entrance

The opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games began with a video of the Doctor Who Tardis sweeping across Scottish landmarks (Loch Ness, the Kelpies, Edinburgh Castle) before collecting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Balmoral Castle. Piloted by six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh, the Tardis materialised on stage inside Glasgow's Hydro arena. The King and Queen emerged to cheers and took their seats in the royal box, a moment that echoed Queen Elizabeth II's 2012 Olympic entrance with James Bond. The indoor ceremony, a first for the Games, lasted two hours and 20 minutes.

As we gather, we celebrate the dedication and talent of every athlete and team. Your perseverance inspires us, and we eagerly anticipate your achievements in the coming days.

A Games reborn on a budget

The Glasgow edition almost did not happen. The Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host in 2023, citing spiralling costs, leaving the future of the event (which began as the British Empire Games in 1930) in doubt. Glasgow, which hosted in 2014, stepped in at short notice, but with a drastically reduced programme. This year's Games feature 10 sports, down from 19 at Birmingham 2022, and come at a quarter of the cost of the 2014 edition. The opening ceremony was held indoors at the 14,000-capacity Hydro, with about 10,000 spectators, a stark contrast to the 40,000-strong crowd at Celtic Park in 2014.

Athletes take centre stage

In a break with tradition, the athletes' parade was moved to the start of the ceremony. Around 3,000 competitors from 74 nations and territories walked into the arena to a soundtrack by Skye-based duo Valtos. The Falkland Islands team received one of the loudest ovations, a response to recent tensions after Argentina's football World Cup victory over England. The Scotland team, entering last in white shirts and kilts, drew the biggest roar. A large Loch Ness Monster figure then appeared, followed by bagpipers and a rendition of Flower of Scotland.

Performances and dignitaries

The show, billed as "a love letter to Glasgow and the Commonwealth," featured Scottish folk singer Nathan Evans, Tom Walker, KT Tunstall, and Callum Beattie, who performed the disco hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, and Wales's First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth watched from the royal box. Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare, wearing a Ugandan tartan kilt, praised Glasgow's "warm hearts and open arms."

When the future of these Games was uncertain, Glasgow didn't ask, 'Can we?' We asked, 'When do we get started?'

What lies ahead

The Games will run for 10 days (AP reports 11 days), with 215 gold medals at stake across 10 sports and a record 47 para-sports events. Organisers hope the slimmed-down model will prove sustainable and attract future hosts. King Charles declared the Games open, urging athletes to "build a harmonious and durable future."