The Commonwealth Games have confirmed that the King and Queen will attend the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Games, officially opening the event later this month.
According to the Games organiser, also a six-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Chris Hoy will also take part in the ceremony at The Hydro in Glasgow on July 23.
During the ceremony, King Charles will read aloud the message he placed into the King’s Baton at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, March 10 last year, when he launched the baton relay with Sir Chris Hoy as its first baton bearer.
The King’s reading of the message will mark the moment that the Games are officially declared open.
Sir Chris Hoy, a two-time Commonwealth champion, said: “It is an absolute honour to attend the opening of Glasgow 2026 with Their Majesties, the King and Queen.
“A home Games is always a special occasion, and I have so many wonderful memories from competing in the Commonwealth Games myself.
“I have no doubt the city of Glasgow will yet again be a superb host to what promises to be an exciting event, and I very much look forward to being a part of it. The countdown is on.”
During the course of the relay, the baton has visited all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories across 500 days.
Each of the 74 has crafted and decorated its own baton to reflect its culture and identity, and these will all be united in Glasgow for the first time.
The Scotland Baton, handmade in the city from sustainably sourced ash, will be presented to Charles.
George Black, chairman of Glasgow 2026, said: “Welcoming Their Majesties, the King and Queen, to The Hydro is a proud moment for everyone building the opening ceremony.
“We set out to make something bold, unmistakably Glasgow and unlike anything the Commonwealth Games has produced before – and to have Their Majesties there to see it come to life makes it all the more special.”
The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete across 10 sports and six Para sports at the event.