King & Queen arrive at Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Doctor Who’s Tardis as monarch kicks off opening ceremony

THE King will declare the Commonwealth Games open tonight — after arriving in Doctor Who’s Tardis. His Majesty and Queen Camilla flew in the telly skit from Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands to the opening ceremony at Glasgow’s Hydro. The King declared the Commonwealth Games open tonight and arrived in Doctor Who’s Tardis Credit: EPA His Majesty and Queen Camilla flew in the telly skit from Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands Credit: AFP They were picked up by gold medal cycling hero Chris Hoy and actor Glen McHugh after flying off in seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy’s time machine. The sketch echoed the late Queen Elizabeth II’s James Bond skit at the opening of London’s 2012 Olympics with 007 star Daniel Craig. Sign up for the Royals newsletter Thank you! As the 11-day sporting extravaganza gets under way, Charles and Camilla had a prominent role in the show at the Hydro Arena. More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete across 10 sports and six Para sports. King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Sir Chris Hoy step out of the TARDIS as they arrive Credit: PA Charles and Camilla have a prominent role in the show at the Hydro Arena in Glasgow Credit: Getty 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. 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, who said it was “surreal” being in the iconic time machine with the King, and actor Greg McHugh. The Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, was somewhat confused by their efforts. Most read in Royals It eventually reaches Balmoral Castle, after visiting several famous Scottish landmarks. The Tardis then materialised inside the Hydro arena, appearing on an onstage garden. Charles and Camilla emerged from the Tardis, making their way down a ramp before taking up seats in the royal box. Charles formally opens the games in his role as Head of the Commonwealth, the ceremonial leader of the association of 56 nations. The Tardis is based on a police box designed by Scottish architect Gilbert Mackenzie Trench in 1929. Earlier, the King attended a reception where he met baton bearers representing the regions of the Commonwealth. The King and Queen pictured next to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Credit: Getty The Duke of Edinburgh meets Finnie, the official mascot the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Finnie the unicorn Credit: Reuters 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.