The 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has taken place at Celtic Park in Glasgow.
Thousands of athletes from 71 nations and territories took part before a 40,000-strong crowd and a global TV audience up up to one billion people.
Their traditional parade around the stadium followed a live show featuring about 2,000 cast members.
The Queen declared the Games open by reading her own message from inside the Commonwealth baton.
Adventurer Mark Beaumont landed on the city’s river Clyde in a seaplane carrying the baton to Celtic Park, having tracked its progress across the Commonwealth on a 288-day journey spanning almost 120,000 miles.
Inside the stadium, the baton was transferred between a group of volunteers who have helped children around Scotland find their potential through sport.
Sir Chris Hoy carried it on its final stage to Prince Imran of Malaysia, who struggled briefly to open the container and remove the message to hand to the Queen.
Her Majesty then spoke of the “shared ideals and ambitions” of the Commonwealth and highlighted the “bonds that unite” the 71 nations and territories.
“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.”
The Queen, in her role as head of the Commonwealth, then sent her best wishes to the competing athletes.
Nigeria, as a member of the commonwealth, is participating in this year’s games.
