Commonwealth Games opening ceremonies – in pictures

A general view of the Opening Ceremony for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, India. Photograph: Graham Crouch/Getty Images

Auckland 1950 Is it a flock of doves? Is it a flock of pigeons? We don’t know, but thousands of them are released at the climax Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images

Perth 1962 Marching girls strut their stuff Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Stretcher bearers come to the aid of an Australian soldier who fainted in Perth Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images

Christchurch 1974 Athletes model some of England Commonwealth Games kit including the parade outfits. The women’s parade dress and georgette blouse is in turquoise with a Swiss straw hat trimmed with georgette is in the style worn recently by Princess Anne. The men are sporting a traditional blazer with black and white dog tooth check trousers with flared bottoms Photograph: The Guardian

A Maori concert group performing a haka Photograph: Chas Sime/Getty Images

Brisbane 1982 Matilda, the giant motorised mascot of the 12th Commonwealth games, winks at Prince Philip much to the amusement of the capacity crowd Photograph: AP

Edinburgh 1986 British Home Stores supplied Scotland’s kit Photograph: Steve Back/Associated Newspa/REX

These jumpers were missing from the previous picture of the BHS kit launch, perhaps that’s a good thing as a black and white photograph wouldn’t be able show their resplendent blue hue Photograph: Bob Martin/Getty Images

British Army personnel on ceremonial duty during the ceremony Photograph: Georges DeKeerle/Getty Images

Water skiing with dolphins seems like fun Photograph: Monty Fresco/Associated News/REX

And Nessie made a guest appearance Photograph: Peter Kemp/AP

Victoria 1994 Patriotic Canadian fans fly the flag Photograph: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Kuala Lumpur 1998 Fireworks and floats Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Manchester 2002 The crowd at the City of Manchester Stadium were treated to the Red Arrows performing a fly-over Photograph: /Reuters

And the Games mascots Kit, left, and Mad Ferret Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

As well as S Club 7 Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Melbourne 2006 The ceremony featured a flying tram which winged it’s way down into the stadium to deposit performers onto the stage Photograph: Russell Boyce /Reuters

Delhi 2010 Drummers and huge puppets entertain the crowds Photograph: Graham Crouch/Getty Images

The Canada team arrives sporting rather casual attire Photograph: Andy Clark/Reuters

Glasgow 2014 Scottish Terriers played a starring role as team name bearers Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/REUTERS

Like Edinburgh 1986, Nessie put in an appearance Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

A famous Scottish food brand played a part in the ceremony... Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

As did the drink brand that is made out of girders Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images