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Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who is patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Head of the Commonwealth. Prince Charles opened the games in his mother’s place when they were held in India in 2010 and in Australia in 2018.
The Queen Is Head of the Commonwealth
The 96-year-old monarch has been limited by mobility issues in recent months. She currently is enjoying her summer vacation at her Scottish estate Balmoral and her absence will no doubt be a difficult one for the long-reigning monarch who has a special place in her heart for the Commonwealth Games. They were last held in the UK in 2014.
The Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this year, marking seven decades on the throne. She has missed just a few Commonwealth events in the span of 70 years but recent mobility issues have hampered her ability to be present at live official royal events.
The Queen Celebrated Her Platinum Jubilee
Despite her absence at the Games the Queen sent a secret message, hidden inside a baton, which will be revealed Thursday evening.
Fans were alerted to the special secret message with a tweet: “The wait is almost over. We finally get to hear Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Games message at tonight’s opening ceremony following it’s 90,000 mile journey around the Commonwealth. Don’t miss it!”
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Queen Elizabeth previously opened the games in Canada in 1978 and 1994, in Scotland in 1986 and 2014, in England in 2002 and in Australia in2006.
Her late husband Prince Philip was an ardent support of the Games and he opened event in Australia (1962 and 1982), Jamaica (1966), New Zealand (1974), Scotland (1970) and Wales (1958).
The Queen Is Absent From Commonwealth Games
The opening ceremony is expected to be watched by around 1 billion people worldwide, with 30,000 fans at the Alexander Stadium present for the live ceremony in which Duran Duran, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, and local rising stars Indigo Marshall and Gambimi will entertain the crowd.
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The Commonwealth Games are not without controversy however. At a time when the country faces a cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation, the Games were funded with a £778 million taxpayer investment that some think could be better spent on social services.
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