While most were content to travel to the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony via car or public transport, the King and Queen opted for something else entirely.
Glasgow’s Hydro stadium erupted in cheers as Charles and Camilla emerged on stage from inside Doctor Who’s iconic TARDIS on Thursday night (Friday morning AEST).
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the Commonwealth Games in Doctor Who’s TARDIS. Getty
The fictional time-travel machine, which famously takes the form of a police public call box – which were designed by Scottish architect Gilbert MacKenzie Trench – had undertaken a whirlwind journey before appearing on stage in a cloud of smoke.
A video shown on the Hydro’s big screen showed cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh steering the TARDIS through Scotland, passing various landmarks, under instructions from the palace to get the King and Queen to the stadium.
When the TARDIS arrived at Balmoral, the British royal family’s sprawling Scottish residence, two shadowy figures were seen ‘boarding’ the spacecraft.
The time travel machine arrived on stage after a whirlwind ‘journey’ through Scotland. Getty
After materialising on stage with lights and smoke, the door of the police box opened and out stepped a clearly chuffed Charles and Camilla, dressed in shades of blue.
Per The Telegraph, the King has been a Doctor Who fan since age 15.
If the skit gave you a touch of déjà vu, there’s good reason – it’s not the first time a monarch has made a pop culture-themed entrance at an Opening Ceremony.
In 2012, the late Queen Elizabeth II arrived at the opening of the London Olympics with the help of James Bond.
The monarch also made a speech to open the Games. AP Photo/Kin Cheung
The Queen teamed up with actor Daniel Craig for the skit, in which the iconic secret agent ‘collected’ her from Buckingham Palace – to the delight of fans, she greeted Craig with, “Good evening, Mr Bond” – before escorting her into a helicopter. The pair then ‘parachuted’ into the Olympic stadium.
Of course, that skit was also pre-recorded and Her Majesty simply strolled in to the ceremony, but it was a lot of fun.
After enjoying the proceedings, the King had the honour of declaring the Commonwealth Games open, addressing the crowd at the end of the ceremony.
“I extend my warmest gratitude to the city of Glasgow, to all the athletes, to the organisers, volunteers and all those who have made this event possible,” he said.
“As we share our love of sport, and our planet, let us build a harmonious and durable future, for our families and each other.”