Commonwealth Games LIVE: King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in Dr Who Tardis for Glasgow opening ceremony

Key PostsRise and shine Australia, this is what you’ve missed of the ceremony so farBy If you’re back home in Australia and your alarm has just gone off, fear not, we’ve got the key moments covered for you from the opening ceremony in Glasgow so far.King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in style, emerging from a Dr Who Tardis to a delighted crowd in Glasgow’s Hydro. It’s a fun Scottish spin on a piece of protocol. The head of the Commonwealth must open the Games, so why not have the travelling time machine from the long-running BBC series Doctor Who, which has featured many Scottish actors as the main character.King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive. Getty ImagesTeam Australia have already made their grand entrance and easily had the biggest contingent and cheers. Australia has 255 athletes at these Games. Ironically, it was a nation on the other end of the spectrum – St Lucia – that had the second-loudest cheer. The Caribbean nation had just one athlete at the opening ceremony, but the crowd were delighted to see her.Team Australia had the biggest contingent of athletes so far.Kin CheungTeam Scotland have taken things into their own hands, with many athletes ditching the uniformed high heels following backlash and accusations of sexism online.Team Scotland entering the OVO Hydro stadium for the opening ceremony.SNS Group via Getty ImagesLatest Posts6.28amMeet me under the clock: The significance of Glasgow’s landmark By After a rousing bagpipe display, Hydro Stadium goes dark, and suddenly a gigantic clock appears on stage.For anyone who hasn’t been to the city before, Glasgow Central Station has an enormous four-faced clock, and it’s often used as a meeting place for commuters.A clock emerges from the roof of the Hydro.Getty ImagesOn stage, a chorus of people enter the stage and the audience watches everyday people go about their morning routines.As the morning progresses, everyone meets under the clock whether they’re a cyclist, a jogger and a reveller from the night before.Then it’s flash mob time as singer Nathan Evans enters, raising a microphone to perform with the Saint PHNX Band.6.26amALERT: Loch Ness Monster officially spotted in ScotlandBy Bronte GosslingThe creature that has existed in folklore for centuries has emerged in Glasgow, making contact with Outlander star Sam Heughan inside the Hydro.The Scottish actor, decked out in a grey kilt, walked around the Celtic knot stage with his arms outstretched, touching Nessie’s nose as she emerged from the CGI Loch Ness into the arena.Two Scottish icons unite: Nessie and Outlander star Sam Heughan.Getty ImagesIt’s hard to figure out which one of them is more famous.Getty ImagesA team of bagpipers and drummers then launched into an emotional rendition of Flower of Scotland, the country’s unofficial anthem.This is not Nessie’s first appearance at the Commonwealth Games – she made a cameo at the opening ceremony in Edinburgh in 1986, at the 2010 closing ceremony in Delhi, and again at the 2014 Games in Glasgow.Heughan will also be making another appearance at the Games. The award-winning actor, who played the swashbuckling hero Jamie Fraser in the Jacobite-era drama series for a decade, is the 2026 Commonwealth Games’ “official DJ”.6.20amThe royal who didn’t get the flashy entranceBy Bronte GosslingLike Mary Poppins’ magical handbag, the Tardis – Doctor Who’s travelling time machine – is bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside.But clearly, the blue police box inside Glasgow’s Hydro was not big enough for every royal present at the event, as Prince Edward’s cameo was only revealed when a photographer snapped a photo of the royal box.Prince Edward has made a low-key appearance at the Commonwealth Games. Here he is standing next to Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport and of the Uganda Olympic Committee, in the Royal Box.Getty ImagesIt makes sense for the King’s low-key younger brother to be there – he was named the Duke of Edinburgh in 2023, two years after the death of Prince Philip.But it also makes sense for the Tardis to have held a more prominent role in the ceremony than the royal with the title of Scotland’s capital.6.12amBagpipes galore: the Scots are here By Hannah KennellyThis is what the crowd have been waiting for.They’ve been patient for the whole parade, and now they will be rewarded because team Scotland have just entered the building and boy what a reception.Team Scotland arrive at the opening ceremony.Getty ImagesThere is a thunderous roar of cheers and yelling as the athletes circle around the stage, with crowd members proudly waving their Scottish flags in the stands.The only thing louder than the crowd right now is the magnificent display of bagpipers, who have flooded the stage and lined the aisles in the crowd.There were huge cheers for the host nation.Getty Images6.11amGold for New ZealandBy Damien WoolnoughOutdoor outfitters Kathmandu have done the Kiwis proud with their opening ceremony uniforms featuring skater-style influences.Team New Zealand in their Kathmandu uniforms.Getty ImagesAlong with the traditional silver fern detail, the uniforms feature the NZZN mark, created for the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch by Scottish-born designer Colin Simon.Bone pants and boxy merino wool jackets make this look a winner.“It’s exciting to wear something designed in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with details, like NZZN, that connect us to those who came before us,” said three-time Paralympic gold medallist, Anna Grimaldi.“The fact that the uniforms have been created with athletes of all abilities in mind makes them even more special.”6.09amAustralian styling brings uniforms to lifeBy Damien WoolnoughAt the launch presentation the RM Williams uniforms for Team Australia were private school perfection with green blazers, white shirts and polished boots.Team Australia at the opening ceremony.Getty ImagesAt the opening ceremony athletes brought the uniforms to life, with many proudly wearing First Nations designed scarves as bandanas, adding cultural contrast to proceedings. The Craftsman boots remain a standout. I’ll be wearing mine throughout the games as a show of support (they’re more comfortable than Scotland’s high heels).Rise and shine Australia, this is what you’ve missed of the ceremony so farBy If you’re back home in Australia and your alarm has just gone off, fear not, we’ve got the key moments covered for you from the opening ceremony in Glasgow so far.King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in style, emerging from a Dr Who Tardis to a delighted crowd in Glasgow’s Hydro. It’s a fun Scottish spin on a piece of protocol. The head of the Commonwealth must open the Games, so why not have the travelling time machine from the long-running BBC series Doctor Who, which has featured many Scottish actors as the main character.King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive. Getty ImagesTeam Australia have already made their grand entrance and easily had the biggest contingent and cheers. Australia has 255 athletes at these Games. Ironically, it was a nation on the other end of the spectrum – St Lucia – that had the second-loudest cheer. The Caribbean nation had just one athlete at the opening ceremony, but the crowd were delighted to see her.Team Australia had the biggest contingent of athletes so far.Kin CheungTeam Scotland have taken things into their own hands, with many athletes ditching the uniformed high heels following backlash and accusations of sexism online.Team Scotland entering the OVO Hydro stadium for the opening ceremony.SNS Group via Getty Images5.58amA closer look at the batonsBy Finally, we can bring you some up close and personal pics of the batons. Designed by artists native to each of the 74 nations or territories, each country has a baton bearer for the 2026 Games. Antigua and Barbuda’s baton.Getty ImagesSamoa’s baton.Getty Images5.52amSri Lankan sustainabilityBy Damien WoolnoughSri Lanka appear to have recycled their acclaimed Paris Olympics uniforms for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.Team Sri Lanka in their uniforms from Jovi Ceylon.AP Photo/Manish SwarupDesigned by Lovi Ceylon, led by Asanka del Mar, the intricately embroidered outfits were inspired by the 19th century royal court.If Queen Camilla can re-wear an outfit for the opening ceremony, so can the athletes, especially when they’re this good.5.47amAussies enter the stadium By Hannah KennellyLet’s be honest, the British monarchs emerging from a Doctor Who Tardis? It’s difficult to top that.But the audience here is on their feet and cheering for the athletes who emerge moments later.Amalie White’s 360 degree stage design is inspired by a single knotted thread: the beginning of a Celtic knot. It means the athletes tonight can circle around the entire stage and wave excitedly to the crowd.Team Australia had the biggest contingent of athletes so far.Kin CheungThe biggest cheer of the tonight went to St Lucia – who only had one athlete on stage, but proudly waved their country’s flag with a gigantic smile.1 of 3