The Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, saw more than 40,000 spectators treated to a stunning night of entertainment from Scottish icon Rod Stewart, former Britain’s Got Talent finalist Susan Boyle and singer-songwriter Amy McDonald plus a few surprises!
With the world holding its breath, Scotland reintroduced themselves to the Commonwealth family and showed everyone what there made of. Most importantly, Scotland celebrated the commonality and shared qualities of the Commonwealth – the true spirit of unity and diversity.
For the first time in Games history, the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony featured a Commonwealth-wide fundraiser for children, thanks to ground-breaking partnership with leading children’s organization, UNICEF.
Stars of sport, appeared in this unique global fundraising in aid of UNICEF to help Put Children First. Coming together on one night, Scotland hoped to save and change the lives of millions of children across the Commonwealth.
International singing superstar Nicole Scherzinger, cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, footballing supremo Sir Alex Ferguson, Line of Duty actress Keeley Hawes and TV presenter and DJ Reggie Yates all played a part in the programme as never seen before, in exclusive live footage in the Celtic Park exploring different regions of the Commonwealth to witness UNICEF’s life-changing work.
Spectators, athletes and the expected one billion viewers from across the Commonwealth all had the chance to play their part in the Ceremony as they would come together for one special moment, to Put Children First.
The head of the Commonwealth spoke of the "Bonds that Unite" the 71 nations and territories when she delivered her message which has travelled the world inside the Games Baton.
There was a brief moment of embarrassment when the Baton containing the Queen's message refused to open for Prince Imran of Malaysia, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, to release the manuscript. But Sir Chris Hoy, who had carried the Baton to the Prince, instinctively came to the rescue.
There were then loud cheers and applause as the Queen declared the competition open.
The message, which was kept secret until tonight, has circled the globed over the last nine months, since the Queen placed the paper inside the baton which then visited all 71 locations including Bermuda.
Reading the message, the Queen said, "At Buckingham Palace last October, I placed this message into the specially-crafted baton and passed it to the first of many thousands of baton-bearers. Over the past 288 days the baton has visited all the nations and territories of the Commonwealth, crossing every continent in a journey of more than 100,000 miles.
"The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family.
"And now, that baton has arrived here in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements and for the warmth of its people, for this opening ceremony of the Friendly Games."
