King Charles appears at Commonwealth Games 2026 opening

King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a surprise entrance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, stepping out of a life-sized TARDIS from Doctor Who.

A video showed the TARDIS traveling across Scotland, including stops at Loch Ness, Edinburgh Castle, and Balmoral Castle, before the royal couple emerged with cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh.

The TARDIS tribute highlighted Scotland's cultural heritage: the blue police boxes that inspired it were designed by Scottish architect Gilbert MacKenzie Trench, and several Doctor Who actors have Scottish roots.

King Charles officially declared the 23rd Commonwealth Games open after removing a message from the King's Baton, and in his speech, he emphasized tackling plastic pollution and protecting oceans.