Latest news with #King'sBatonRelay
The Independent
10-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
King and Sir Chris Hoy kick off Glasgow Commonwealth Games countdown
The King has been joined by cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy to officially start the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Charles handed a wooden baton to the six-time Olympic champion to launch the King's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace on Monday, with 500 days to go before the sporting event begins. Glasgow was announced as the Games host for the second time last year after the original host, the Australian state of Victoria, was forced to withdraw. The Games were previously held in the Scottish city in 2014. Charles shared a laugh with Scotland's First Minister John Swinney as he greeted guests in the palace's Marble Hall. They included the first four baton bearers for the Games: Sir Chris, Scottish Paralympic and Commonwealth wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, Royal Commonwealth Society volunteer Keiran Healy, and Gabriella Wood, an Olympic and Commonwealth judo athlete from Trinidad and Tobago. British Paralympian Kadeena Cox and judo competitor Sarah Adlington then presented Charles with the baton and his message for the Commonwealth Games, with the latter tied in a red ribbon. Charles placed the message into the baton, where it will remain until it is opened and read out at the opening ceremony. Sir Chris, who won Commonwealth gold medals in 2002 and 2006, was handed the baton by Charles before walking through the palace's Quadrangle with a guard of honour provided by pipers wearing kilts. Ms Kinghorn, Mr Healy and Ms Wood were each then handed the baton in turn before it left the palace grounds. The King's Baton Relay will begin in Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking about the event afterwards, Sir Chris told the PA news agency: 'It's pretty special – I wanted to slow it down and not rush it too much. 'It's a very kind of private and intimate ceremony, almost – there's not thousands of people here, but it feels very special to be part of it and wonderful that we are in this 500 days to go with such a fantastic celebration.' Sir Chris said Glasgow hosting the Games for a second time was 'fantastic for Scotland', adding: 'I think it's showing that Scotland can and does put on world class events in sport, and it only inspires us.' The baton is comprised of three interlocking pieces of sustainability sourced ash, a Scottish hardwood, and was inspired by the three Commonwealth Games values of humanity, equality and destiny. For the first time, each of the 74 nations and territories participating in the Games will have their own uniquely designed batons with a different word from the King's message engraved on them. Mr Swinney told PA: 'There's a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of warmth towards the Commonwealth Games. 'Of course, what we've had to do this time, we've stepped in very late in the preparations, when the Games were not going to be held in Australia, and we've provided the replacement venue, so the Games will be different. 'They'll give a different size and a different scale, but the reimagining of the Games is part of, I suppose, what Glasgow has been really good at. Glasgow has been a centre of invention in all of its history.' The First Minister added: 'The baton is emblematic of the whole message of sustainability that lies at the heart of so much of our agenda in Scotland, about making sure that we address the climate challenge, that we ensure we act in a sustainable fashion.' Charles attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey earlier on Monday alongside the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The King and Camilla will also attend a Commonwealth Day Reception at Marlborough House on Monday evening, where the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize will be awarded. The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2 next year.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
King and Sir Chris Hoy kick off Glasgow Commonwealth Games countdown
The King has been joined by cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy to officially start the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Charles handed a wooden baton to the six-time Olympic champion to launch the King's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace on Monday, with 500 days to go before the sporting event begins. Glasgow was announced as the Games host for the second time last year after the original host, the Australian state of Victoria, was forced to withdraw. The Games were previously held in the Scottish city in 2014. Charles shared a laugh with Scotland's First Minister John Swinney as he greeted guests in the palace's Marble Hall. They included the first four baton bearers for the Games: Sir Chris, Scottish Paralympic and Commonwealth wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, Royal Commonwealth Society volunteer Keiran Healy, and Gabriella Wood, an Olympic and Commonwealth judo athlete from Trinidad and Tobago. British Paralympian Kadeena Cox and judo competitor Sarah Adlington then presented Charles with the baton and his message for the Commonwealth Games, with the latter tied in a red ribbon. Charles placed the message into the baton, where it will remain until it is opened and read out at the opening ceremony. Sir Chris, who won Commonwealth gold medals in 2002 and 2006, was handed the baton by Charles before walking through the palace's Quadrangle with a guard of honour provided by pipers wearing kilts. Ms Kinghorn, Mr Healy and Ms Wood were each then handed the baton in turn before it left the palace grounds. The King's Baton Relay will begin in Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking about the event afterwards, Sir Chris told the PA news agency: 'It's pretty special – I wanted to slow it down and not rush it too much. 'It's a very kind of private and intimate ceremony, almost – there's not thousands of people here, but it feels very special to be part of it and wonderful that we are in this 500 days to go with such a fantastic celebration.' Sir Chris said Glasgow hosting the Games for a second time was 'fantastic for Scotland', adding: 'I think it's showing that Scotland can and does put on world class events in sport, and it only inspires us.' The baton is comprised of three interlocking pieces of sustainability sourced ash, a Scottish hardwood, and was inspired by the three Commonwealth Games values of humanity, equality and destiny. For the first time, each of the 74 nations and territories participating in the Games will have their own uniquely designed batons with a different word from the King's message engraved on them. Mr Swinney told PA: 'There's a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of warmth towards the Commonwealth Games. 'Of course, what we've had to do this time, we've stepped in very late in the preparations, when the Games were not going to be held in Australia, and we've provided the replacement venue, so the Games will be different. 'They'll give a different size and a different scale, but the reimagining of the Games is part of, I suppose, what Glasgow has been really good at. Glasgow has been a centre of invention in all of its history.' The First Minister added: 'The baton is emblematic of the whole message of sustainability that lies at the heart of so much of our agenda in Scotland, about making sure that we address the climate challenge, that we ensure we act in a sustainable fashion.' Charles attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey earlier on Monday alongside the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The King and Camilla will also attend a Commonwealth Day Reception at Marlborough House on Monday evening, where the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize will be awarded. The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2 next year.
Telegraph
10-03-2025
- General
- Telegraph
King and Princess of Wales return to Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day service
The King and the Princess of Wales have returned to Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service, a year after both missed it following their cancer diagnoses. The King will lead the nation at the annual service on Monday, joined by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The senior members of the Royal family will walk in procession up the aisle of the abbey, where 2,000 guests from all over the Commonwealth will gather to hear music and poetry. In his Commonwealth Day message, printed in the programme, the King paid tribute to the 'untold sacrifice and selflessness' of Commonwealth forces who answered the call to fight with Britain and its allies in the Second World War. He wrote of those 'from around our family of nations who gave their lives in that dreadful conflict', sharing the 'particular pride and everlasting gratitude' he felt for their contribution. He also emphasised the need to restore the 'disrupted harmony of our entire planet' as the most important task facing humanity. The King, who is head of the Commonwealth, gives an annual address to the family of 56 nations. Last year, he pre-recorded a video message after postponing public duties for around three months after his cancer diagnosis. The Princess of Wales, who missed the service last year after also being diagnosed with cancer, will be among the congregation as she continues a gradual return to public duties following her confirmation that she is in remission. The King's message calls on the people of the Commonwealth to come together, saying: 'In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth's remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship. 'The Commonwealth's ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time, and remains as ever-important today.' This year's Commonwealth Day theme is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the 'enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family'. During the service, Joan Armatrading, the singer-songwriter, will perform an arrangement of her hit Love And Affection. Also on Monday, the King will launch the inaugural King's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, officially starting the countdown to the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The King and Queen will be guests of Baroness Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, at the Commonwealth Day reception on Monday evening, and will hear a commemorative song by Andrew Lloyd Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize. Commonwealth Day is also being marked by the release of a playlist the King has compiled following a collaboration with Apple Music for a programme called The King's Music Room.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
King to launch Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Baton Relay
King Charles will launch the King's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace later, ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. It is the 18th official Commonwealth Games relay and marks 500 days until the event begins on 23 July next year. He will hand the baton to champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy - the first bearer on its journey around the world. The relay, which begins in London as a part of Commonwealth Day celebrations, will be the King's first as head of the Commonwealth. Following Sir Chris Hoy, the next three baton bearers will be wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, ocean plastics campaigner Keiran Healy and Trinidad & Tobago judo athlete Gabriella Wood - who studies at the University of Stirling. Trinidad & Tobago will be the first destination for the relay. The King will place a sealed message into the baton. It will remain inside until the opening ceremony when will be read out to mark the start of games. Meanwhile, First Minister John Swinney will be in London later to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service of celebration at Westminster Abbey. Swinney said the games were a "huge opportunity for Scotland on the world stage". He added: "Glasgow already has a tremendous record for hosting, receiving international recognition for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. "Glasgow 2026 will bring huge economic benefits to the city and support upgrades to sporting facilities - benefitting individuals, communities and clubs." The event will take place in Glasgow from 23rd July to 2nd August next year. It will feature a 10-sport programme with athletes from 74 nations and territories. Glasgow was announced as the host of the 2026 Games after the Australian state of Victoria - which had been due to host - withdrew over rising costs. The deal was secured after the Scottish government agreed to back it and the Victoria state administration promised a £2.3m investment. Scottish government minister Neil Gray said at the time the fact that the city was asked to step in and host the games was a "testament to Glasgow and Scotland's fantastic reputation for hosting international events". Organisers have stated the Games will come at no cost to the Scottish public purse, with funding coming from compensation paid to the Commonwealth Games Federation after the Australians pulled out. The UK government will provide financial support in the event of any increased security threat but has said it will not completely underwrite the Games. The 10-sport Glasgow Games will be a scaled-back version of the last time the city played host in 2014. The overall number of sports has halved from 20 in Birmingham in 2022 to combat rising hosting costs and time demands. However, more than 200 gold medals will still be contested at venues within an eight-mile corridor of the city. Swimming, track cycling and Para sports will each boast more medallists than in any of the previous 22 iterations of the Games. And athletics will have two new events - the mixed 4x400m relay and the Commonwealth Mile, which replaces the 1500m. Para sports will be fully integrated across six of the 10 disciplines, with a Games record of 47 medal events in total. A total of 26 cycling golds will be fought for at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, with eight of those in Para-track cycling. That is double the amount on offer three years ago. And 56 will be on offer at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, with the men's 800m and women's 1500m freestyle races included for the first time. Mile races will be among more than 200 Glasgow 2026 golds 'Big names hugely positive about Commonwealth Games' Multiple host cities possible for future Commonwealth Games
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
King to launch Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Baton Relay with Chris Hoy
THE King will launch the inaugural King's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace today, officially starting the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. He will hand the baton to champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy (below) - the first bearer on its journey around the world. Trinidad and Tobago will be the first destination. Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception on Monday evening. After Hoy, the next three baton bearers will be wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, ocean plastics campaigner Keiran Healy and Trinidad and Tobago judo athlete Gabriella Wood - who studies at the University of Stirling. The King will place a sealed message into the baton, and it will remain inside until the opening ceremony to be read out. First Minister John Swinney also will be in London to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Swinney said: "Glasgow already has a tremendous record for hosting, receiving international recognition for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. "Glasgow 2026 will bring huge economic benefits to the city and support upgrades to sporting facilities - benefitting individuals, communities and clubs." The games will take place from July 23 to August 2 next year.
