The King and Queen are in Glasgow today for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, hosted at The Hydro, one of the world's premier entertainment venues.
King Charles will formally declare the XXIII Commonwealth Games open during the ceremony, which brings together more than 3,000 athletes representing 74 nations and territories.
The Games will unfold over 11 days, with competitors vying for 215 gold medals across 10 sporting disciplines.
Athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators from throughout the Commonwealth are gathering at the venue to witness what organisers have promised will be a bold and distinctive spectacle, designed to showcase Glasgow's character, ambition and pride as it welcomes the Commonwealth family to the city.
At the heart of the ceremony, the King will read aloud a message he originally placed inside the King's Baton at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, 10th March 2025.
The Baton Relay, launched that day with Sir Chris Hoy carrying it first, has travelled to every one of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories over the course of 500 days, making it the longest relay in the history of the Games.
Each participating nation crafted and decorated its own Baton to reflect its distinct culture and identity.
Tonight, all 74 Batons will be brought together for the first time, with the Scotland Baton, handmade in Glasgow from sustainably sourced ash, presented to the King for the reading.
Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic gold medallist and two-time Commonwealth champion, will play a prominent role in tonight's proceedings, having first carried the Baton when the relay was launched last year.
The Scottish cycling legend, among the most decorated athletes in British sporting history, described his involvement as a privilege.
"It is an absolute honour to attend the opening of Glasgow 2026 with the King and Queen," he said. "A home Games is always a special occasion and I have so many wonderful memories from competing in the Commonwealth Games myself.
I have no doubt the city of Glasgow will yet again be a superb host to what promises to be an exciting event; and I very much look forward to being a part of it. The countdown is on!"
Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, highlighted the historic nature of the occasion. "We are honoured that Their Majesties The King and Queen will join athletes, fans, delegations and communities from across the Commonwealth for the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026," he said.
"As the first Commonwealth Games of His Majesty's reign, and the culmination of the first King's Baton Relay, it will be a special occasion for everyone involved in the Commonwealth Games."
He added that Glasgow 2026 represents "the beginning of a new chapter for the Commonwealth Sport Movement."
George Black CBE, Chair of Glasgow 2026, said: "We set out to make something bold, unmistakably Glasgow and unlike anything the Commonwealth Games has produced before and to have Their Majesties there to see it come to life makes it all the more special."
