THE King will launch the inaugural King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace today, officially starting the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
He will hand the baton to champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy (below) – the first bearer on its journey around the world.
Trinidad and Tobago will be the first destination.
Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception on Monday evening.
After Hoy, the next three baton bearers will be wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, ocean plastics campaigner Keiran Healy and Trinidad and Tobago judo athlete Gabriella Wood - who studies at the University of Stirling.
The King will place a sealed message into the baton, and it will remain inside until the opening ceremony to be read out.
First Minister John Swinney also will be in London to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
Swinney said: "Glasgow already has a tremendous record for hosting, receiving international recognition for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
"Glasgow 2026 will bring huge economic benefits to the city and support upgrades to sporting facilities – benefitting individuals, communities and clubs."
The games will take place from July 23 to August 2 next year.
