King Charles and Queen Camilla emerge from TARDIS to open Glasgow Commonwealth Games

The royal couple opened the Games at the Hydro arena in Glasgow.

King Charles, Queen Camilla and Sir Chris Hoy stepped out of a Tardis during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow (PA Wire) The King and Queen made a dramatic entrance at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening ceremony as they strode out of a Tardis. As the 11-day event gets under way, Charles and Camilla had a prominent role in the show at the Hydro arena in Glasgow. More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete across 10 sports and six Para sports. 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 and actor Greg McHugh. King Charles and Queen Camilla made an unconventional entrance in Glasgow (Reuters) Charles will formally open the games in his role as Head of the Commonwealth (Getty) The Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, was somewhat confused by their efforts. The Tardis eventually reached Balmoral Castle after visiting several famous Scottish landmarks and then materialised inside the Hydro arena, appearing on an onstage garden. Charles and Camilla then emerged from the Tardis, making their way down a ramp before taking up seats in the royal box. Prime Minister Andy Burnham sat next to Queen Camilla and King Charles (PA Wire) Charles will formally open the games in his role as Head of the Commonwealth, the ceremonial leader of the association of 56 nations. Earlier, the King attended a reception where he met baton bearers representing the regions of the Commonwealth. 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. More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete at the Commonwealth Games (Getty) Sian Honnor was the flag bearer for England (PA Wire) 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. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

Thousands of athletes from 74 nations descended on the Hydro for tonight's opening ceremony.

The Commonwealth Games 2026 began in spectacular fashion in Glasgow as King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a surprise entrance that left thousands of spectators cheering.Instead of walking into the arena in the traditional way, the royal couple emerged from a life-sized Doctor Who TARDIS, adding a touch of science fiction to the grand opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro.His majesty King Charles III joins the opening ceremony at The Hydro #Glasgow2026 pic.twitter.com/0OgQXpnXrz— Billino (@Bill_Eshun) July 23, 2026 The surprise was set up through a specially filmed video that played inside the arena before the royals appeared. The clip showed the iconic blue police box travelling across Scotland after being accidentally piloted by six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy and Scottish actor Greg McHugh.What an entrance from Their Majesties The King and Queen to the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony #Glasgow2026 pic.twitter.com/p9uobtgyYa— Glasgow 2026 (@Glasgow_2026) July 23, 2026 Along the way, the TARDIS visited famous landmarks including Loch Ness, Edinburgh Castle, the Kelpies in Falkirk, the University of Glasgow and the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The journey even took an unexpected detour to the Jurassic period in the Scottish Highlands before ending at Balmoral Castle.As the video came to an end, the TARDIS appeared on a specially designed garden stage inside the arena. Moments later, its doors opened to reveal King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were greeted with loud applause from the packed crowd. The royal couple waved to spectators before walking down a circular ramp to the Royal Box, officially marking the start of the Games.Indian Judoka Arun Kumar Withdrawn From Glasgow Commonwealth Games After Failed Dope TestThe ceremony then continued with a performance by an 18-member ensemble from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Chorus, followed by the colourful Parade of Nations.Athletes from across the Commonwealth marched into the arena carrying their national flags, celebrating unity, diversity and the beginning of one of the biggest multi-sport events on the international calendar.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games that will see 3,000 athletes from 74 nations compete in events over the next two weeks

The royal couple opened the Games at the Hydro arena in Glasgow.