The King and Queen made a dramatic entrance to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as they strode out of the Tardis at the beginning of the opening ceremony.
As the 11-day sporting extravaganza 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.
Dancers performing during the opening ceremony (Andrew Milligan/PA)PA WireThe show then began with a clip of Doctor Who’s police telephone box going on a journey around Scotland.
The Tardis was piloted by cycling star Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh.
The seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, was somewhat confused by their efforts.
It eventually reaches Balmoral Castle, after visiting several Scottish landmarks.
The Tardis then materialised inside the Hydro arena, appearing on an onstage garden.
England’s delegation during the opening ceremony (Andrew Milligan/PA)PA WireCharles and Camilla emerged from the Tardis, making their way down a ramp before taking their seats in the royal box.
After the parade of athletes from the Commonwealth nations taking part in the Games, actor Sam Heughan shared the stage with an animatronic Loch Ness monster in the next segment of the show.
Singer Nathan Evans performed Scotland Is A Place Called Home amid energetic flashmob dancers representing the people of Glasgow.
At the end of the ceremony, the King’s baton arrived at the arena.
The baton contained a chamber for the King’s message, which was placed inside in March 2025 before it travelled around the world as part of a 500-day multinational relay.
The King then stood to formally declare the Games open.
Charles and Camilla meet baton bearers during a reception (Aaron Chown/PA)PA WireHe said: “As we gather, we celebrate the dedication and talent of every athlete and team.
“Your perseverance inspires us, and we eagerly anticipate your achievements in the coming days.
“For these Games, the relay has carried another message – to help remove the plastic pollution that harms our oceans and waterways, and can impact on human health.
“Addressing plastic pollution complements the immense global efforts required to protect 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030.”
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Charles formally opened the Games in his role as head of the Commonwealth, the ceremonial leader of the association of 56 countries.
Earlier, he attended a reception where he met baton bearers representing the regions of the Commonwealth.
Joining the King and Queen were the Duke of Edinburgh and Prime Minister Andy Burnham with his wife Marie-France van Heel and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney (Owen Humphreys/PA)PA WirePrime 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.
It 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 sewn-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.