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GLASGOW, Scotland – King Charles III made a distinctive entrance to officially open the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday, stepping out from the iconic TARDIS, the time-traveling police box from the beloved sci-fi series “Doctor Who.”
The Games will feature over 3,000 athletes representing 74 nations and territories, competing across 10 sports and six Para sports during the 11-day event. In his capacity as head of the Commonwealth, King Charles formally declared the Games open.
The opening ceremony commenced with a creative video showcasing the TARDIS journeying through Scotland’s notable landmarks, including Loch Ness, the Kelpies, and Edinburgh Castle. The time machine then made a stop at Balmoral Castle, where King Charles and Queen Camilla boarded before the TARDIS reappeared on stage inside the Hydro arena, emerging from a garden set. The royal couple then descended a ramp to take their seats in the royal box.
This memorable entrance follows a royal tradition of unique openings at major sporting events. Notably, in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II made headlines during the London Olympics opening ceremony with a playful video featuring her skydiving into the stadium alongside actor Daniel Craig, portraying James Bond.
The Commonwealth Games now officially underway, with anticipation high for the performances and sportsmanship to come.