King Charles III made an astonishing and unforgettable entrance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The king, who Queen Camilla Parker accompanied, made an appearance in a replica of the iconic “Doctor Who” at the main event of the afternoon.
The special royal engagement saw the attendance of the royal couple, who emerged from the famous blue police box to cheers inside the OVO Hydro Arena. The playful arrival paid tribute to Glasgow’s connection with the long-running television series and set the tone for an evening celebrating Scottish culture.
The King officially opens the @Glasgow_2026 Commonwealth Games.
His Majesty’s message was placed in The King's Baton on Commonwealth Day in March last year at Buckingham Palace, at the launch of the Relay. The Baton Relay took 500 days and reached every corner of the… pic.twitter.com/pqWOFUJ7tp
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 24, 2026
This is the first time King Charles III attended the Commonwealth Games as Head of the Commonwealth. Athletes from 74 territories paraded into the arena, with an amazing welcome by the Monarch of the United Kingdom, particularly the Scotland team, which received the loudest ovation.
At the end of the show, King Charles III thanked Glasgow for hosting the Games and highlighted the importance of protecting oceans and waterways from plastic pollution as part of his long-standing commitment to the environment. Competition begins Friday, with the first medals to be awarded in Para-powerlifting before the Games conclude on August 2.
