THE ROYALS AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Prince Charles stands in for the Queen, aided by Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. And Princess Charlotte royally steals the show from her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in a truly spectacular "novel adventure" in Birmingham!

A GRAND SPORTING EVENT 

The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.

The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946 (when it was cancelled due to World War II), have successively run every four years since. The Games were called the British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966, and British Commonwealth Games from 1970 to 1974.

Athletes with a disability are included as full members of their national teams since 2002, making the Commonwealth Games the first fully inclusive international multi-sport event.

BREATHTAKING OPENING CEREMONY

At the opening ceremony of 2022's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Thursday, July 28th Prince Charles represented the Queen as she continued to take a step back from Royal duties. At the time his mother was on her annual summer holiday in Balmoral, Aberdeenshire.

Prince Charles was joined by his wife the Duchess of Cornwall and the Earl and Countess of Wessex for the breathtaking opening ceremony.

The Countess of Wessex opted for a simple green satin shift dress with three-quarter sleeves for the engagement, and wore her blonde locks styled in soft waves around her face. The Duchess of Cornwall stepped out in a black tunic coat with contrasting white trim.

The Royals put on an animated display as they watched the action unfold, with Sophie at one point grabbing a pair of binoculars for a better view.

The Commonwealth Games kicked off with a powerful tribute to Her Majesty's 70 years of "passion and commitment" towards the participating nations.