The King and Queen Arrive at the Commonwealth Games Opening in a TARDIS
Photo: PA Media
King Charles and Queen Camilla made a spectacular entrance at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, stepping out of the Doctor Who police box together with cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy.
On Thursday evening, the 2026 Commonwealth Games officially opened in Glasgow, and King Charles and Queen Camilla provided the most surprising moment of the night. The royal couple made their entrance at the opening ceremony in the OVO Hydro arena by stepping out of the TARDIS, the iconic blue police box from the TV series Doctor Who.
King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped out of the TARDIS together with cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy. Photo: PA Media
The ceremony began with a Doctor Who-style film clip in which the famous police box travelled around well-known Scottish landmarks, piloted by cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh, with a cameo from Sylvester McCoy, known as the Seventh Doctor. The journey ended at Balmoral, before the TARDIS materialised in an onstage garden inside the arena and the royal couple emerged to loud cheers.
Sir Chris Hoy, in a kilt, served as TARDIS pilot for the occasion. Photo: PA Media
Queen Camilla in cobalt blue as the couple took their seats in the royal box. Photo: PA Media
As Head of the Commonwealth, the association of 56 nations, King Charles declared the Games officially open. Over the eleven days of competition, more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete in ten sports and six Para sports.
The opening ceremony took place in the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow. Photo: PA Media
Earlier in the day, the King attended a reception where he met baton bearers from across the Commonwealth. The Duke of Edinburgh also attended the ceremony.