King Charles and Queen Camilla Make Dramatic 'Doctor Who' Entrance to Open 2026 Commonwealth Games
From visiting the Doctor Who set in Cardiff in 2013 to arriving in a TARDIS at the Commonwealth Games, King Charles and Queen Camilla are taking their love for the British sci-fi series to whole new heights.
King Charles and Queen Camilla officially declared the 2026 Commonwealth Games open today. Their Majesties made a dramatic entry at The Hydro arena inside a prop resembling a time machine, much to the delight of the crowd. Ditching the royal helicopter, the King and Queen were "picked up" in a life-sized Doctor Who TARDIS during a comedic sketch with Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh, receiving guidance from "the Palace" via the police box on how to reach the games on time. As reported by GB News, the visually stunning sequence began with a three-and-a-half-minute pre-recorded video broadcast to the arena audience, showing the iconic time machine on a tumultuous journey across Scotland.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave after walking out of the TARDIS during the opening ceremony ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at The Hydro on July 23, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Image Source: Getty Images | James Fearn)The spectators were left mesmerized as the time machine glided over notable Scottish landmarks, including Loch Ness, Edinburgh Castle, the Kelpies sculptures in Falkirk, the University of Glasgow, and the Victorian Glenfinnan Viaduct, before making a detour to the Scottish Highlands during the Jurassic period. Eventually, it landed on the grounds of Balmoral Castle. Then, like a theatrical sequence, the physical TARDIS materialized upon a decorated garden set onstage, and Their Majesties walked out, greeting the eager crowd.
Stage designer Amelie White highlighted the setup: "The garden and natural environment is the first thing people will see on stage. It’s a place where we see a global community coming together, connecting us all to Scotland, to nature, and ultimately to the planet." An 18-strong ensemble from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Chorus welcomed them as they made their entrance into the Royal Box. The moment was followed by the electro-folk duo Valtos and their musicians. Before the ceremony, the audience enjoyed a two-hour pre-show with Glasgow DJ Hu-Sane and hosts Des, Adele, and Grado.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk on stage during the opening ceremony ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at The Hydro on July 23, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Image Source: Getty Images | Lintao Zhang)
HELLO! Magazine reported that the TARDIS sequence was planned in total secrecy. It is well known that Charles and Camilla are fans of the iconic British sci-fi series; back in July 2013, they visited the Doctor Who set in Cardiff to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary, where the King famously used a voice modulator to mimic a Dalek and exclaim, "Exterminate!" For today's appearance, King Charles, Head of the Commonwealth, looked sharp in a navy-blue suit paired with a baby-pink tie, while Queen Camilla wore a chic powder jumpsuit by Anna Valentine. Before taking their seats in the Royal Box, Their Majesties attended a reception with government, Commonwealth, and Games representatives, meeting six Baton Bearers representing Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Oceania.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, are seen in the Royal Box during the opening ceremony ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at The Hydro on July 23, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Image Source: Getty Images | Mattia Ozbot)
The Commonwealth Games will take place over a ten-day period, featuring 3,000 athletes from 74 nations, along with 3,000 volunteers. The event will reportedly include 10 sports and 6 para-sports across four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow International Arena, and Tollcross International Swimming Centre. Meanwhile, with the games now underway, the King is expected to retreat to Balmoral for his much-needed annual vacation.
