Commonwealth Games: King Charles III steps out of TARDIS as Glasgow 2026 Games begin

One of the cheers came for the Falkland Islands – the news followed Argentina’s recent World Cup semi-final win over England – and another followed when the Samoan team appeared and performed the haka in front of a large crowd in the Royal Box.

But nothing compared to the noise that greeted the arrival of the Scottish team, who entered the final stage in their white shirts and kilts and who brought the capacity crowd out of their seats.

A large representation of the Loch Ness monster appeared, preceded, backed by bagpipes and drummers, followed by a stirring rendition of Scottish flowers.

The next part of the evening featured theater performances – the show billed as “a love letter to Glasgow and the commonwealth”.

It started with a performance by Scottish folk and country singer Nathan Evans and a dance taped to Glasgow Central Station’s iconic clock.

The saying “meet me in the afternoon” is popular around these parts.

Singer Callum Beattie’s rendition of Baccara’s Yes Sir, I Can Boogie – the 1970s disco tune recently adopted as Scotland’s unofficial anthem – had Scottish athletes dancing in their seats.

Held at home in front of 10,000 people, it was a more intimate affair than the last time Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games, when a 40,000-strong crowd saw the tournament opener at Celtic Park in 2014.

In the year After the Australian state of Victoria stepped down as host in 2023, there was a point when some thought the Games would not take place. Glasgow stepped in shortly to prove otherwise.

Compared to 2014, there are eight fewer sports, due to the short construction period, and the sites of 12 years ago have been renovated.

But Commonwealth Sports President Donald Rukare, wearing a tartan kilt in his country’s Ugandan colours, said this edition was made possible by the remarkable legacy of 2014 and a city that would once again welcome it with warm hearts and arms.