Best royal moments at the Commonwealth Games
As the Birmingham Commonwealth Games kicks off this week, we take a look at the crowning events over the years…
When the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games kicks off in Birmingham on Thursday, the Queen has hidden a tribute to Prince Philip, inside the baton. The Duke of Edinburgh was the former president of the Commonwealth Games Federation and as such, a fixture at the opening and closing ceremonies. Although Her Majesty, who is patron, is not expected to attend, Prince Charles will take up his parents’ duties. Here’s a look at five of our favourite royal moments over the decades…
The Queen photobombs in Glasgow
At the 2014 Games in Glasgow, Aussie hockey players Jayde Taylor and Brooke Peris happily posed for a selfie, only to discover the Queen pulled a royal photobomb in the background.
Matilda the kangaroo. Pic: NFSA Matilda winks at Prince Philip in Brisbane
Brisbane won the right to host its first Commonwealth Games in 1982 - snatching it away from current host Birmingham. One of the most memorable moments came with the Games’ mascot – the 13-metre high fibre-glass kangaroo Matilda, who turned to Prince Philip and gave him a giant wink.
Camilla on the Gold Coast. Pic: Network Seven Camilla looks bored on the Gold Coast
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, got caught in the act in 2018, when she was filmed looking fed up and perusing the programme, through the opening ceremony of the Gold Coast Games. It was later clarified the duchess was jet-lagged. Still, it was better than the 2010 Games in Delhi when contentious Indian Games chairman Suresh Kalmadi made the ultimate blunder by praising Prince Charles and Princess Diana for attending. He told stunned reporters, “Yes, Princess Diana was there.” Oops.The Queen is upstaged in Kuala Lumpur
The Queen enjoys it when proceedings go a little awry and so it did at the Commonwealth Games in 1998. At the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Games, Her Majesty was completely unruffled as fireworks went off prematurely before and in the middle of her closing speech.The Fab Three take on Glasgow
The 2014 Scottish games were all about the young royals, with the then-happy brothers Princes William and Harry hanging out and watching the events. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge joined in the action and leapt over cans in a traditional game, whilst wearing heels, and they were snapped meeting Harry’s old buddy, Usain Bolt.
Happy birthday George!
Happiest of birthdays to Prince George, who celebrated his ninth birthday on Friday. The Duchess of Cambridge released this lovely photo, which she took on a UK beach. George, Charlotte and Louis are all on their summer holidays now and it’s expected he’ll celebrate his birthday with a private party.
It’s all change for the Cambridges this year, as they move base from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor and the children start a co-ed school in Berkshire together.
There was more good news for the family this week, with the news Kate’s sister Pippa has welcomed her third child, a little girl. Congratulations!
William and Kate head to the USA
Look out America, another royal couple is coming your way. After Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex appeared in New York at the UN, now it’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s turn, as they announce the Earthshot Prize is heading to Boston in December.
William’s ground-breaking environmental awards were first held in London last November. The prince announced the news on Instagram, saying another five winners will be awarded, out of 1000 entries from all over the world.
Prince Charles gets the Cornish cream
We love this photo of Prince Charles in Cornwall. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall headed to the Cornish coast for a couple of days, celebrating 70 years since he became Duke of Cornwall. Charles became the 24th Duke of Cornwall on The Queen’s accession to the throne in February 1952.
Where better to visit with such glorious weather? Although we bet Charles would have rather not been in a suit and tie - like grandson Prince George, at Wimbledon. Still, he sensibly headed to the ice-cream stand and quite right too. The Royal List went to Cornwall recently and can confirm Cornish ice-cream is the best in the world! (Sorry Italy).
At home with the Queen… kind of
As we write this, The Royal List is on a very special assignment, visiting Buckingham Palace, which re-opened to the public for the first time since 2019. Stay tuned for a full report next week. Book tickets, here.