A message placed inside a baton by the Queen on 7 October 2021 completed its 294-day journey to all 72 nations of the Commonwealth last week, arriving at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham for the Opening Ceremony of the 22nd Commonwealth Games.
Representing the monarch, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, were there for the spectacle.
Prince Charles and Camilla arrived in Charles' blue soft-top Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante, to huge cheers. They led a convoy of 72 red, white and blue cars, with links to the Birmingham car industry, which formed a Union Jack as the crowds sang the national anthem. Charles and Camilla took their seats as the Red Arrows display team flew over the stadium leaving a red, white and blue trail.
Charles then delivered a rousing speech on behalf of the Queen. Reading Her Majesty's words, he said,
"On October 7 last year, this specially created baton left Buckingham Palace to travel across the Commonwealth. Over the past 294 days, it has carried not only my message to you, but also shared the hopes and dreams of each nation and territory through which it has passed, as it made its way to Birmingham.
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