A time-travelling king and visit from Nessie: inside the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

The Commonwealth Games opened its ceremony entirely indoors for the first time since nineteen thirty, bringing together seventy-six participating nations and territories. The Conversation Australia reports that this scaled-back ceremony deliberately centered the nations themselves rather than the monarchy. Each country brought a custom baton adorned with cultural symbols; these were planted together in a symbolic garden—a gesture that elevated each nation's standing. The spectacle featured an appearance from Loch Ness Monster and a comedic time-travel sketch with Doctor Who's TARDIS, which collected King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral. The ceremony's message, per Commonwealth Sport's president: every flag here is equal.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton