The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by their three children, attended several key matches and events at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. They were in attendance for the electrifying netball semi-finals at the OVO Hydro, where they watched New Zealand's 61-54 victory over England. The family also made their way to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, where they engaged in conversations with British cyclist Laura Kenny and sat just one row behind Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy. While in Scotland, the couple and their children are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. Their visit included meetings with athletes, staff, and volunteers, even as weather conditions remained unpredictable. They greeted gold medal-winning para powerlifter Mark Swan and gymnast Reuben Ward at the venue on the River Clyde.
Princess Catherine and their daughter Charlotte also spent time capturing photos with the Team Scotland netball players. However, the team had suffered a setback on Thursday, losing to Uganda and missing the opportunity to secure third place. With the netball semi-final results confirmed, Jamaica and New Zealand are now set to face off for the gold on Sunday. Meanwhile, England will aim to prevent Australia from earning a bronze medal. Following the last of the medal ceremonies, the OVO Hydro will be transformed from a sports arena back into a music venue for the closing ceremony, with the change expected to take just six hours.
Final Games and Events
The upcoming days of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will see Jamaica and New Zealand contesting the netball gold and England challenging Australia for a bronze. These final matches are part of a scaled-down version of the Games, which have awarded 215 medals across 10 different sports, while also hosting a record-breaking 47 para-sports events. The city of Glasgow took over the hosting responsibilities for the second time in eight years after Australia’s Victoria withdrew due to financial challenges. This has allowed the Scottish city to showcase its commitment and hospitality on a global stage.
Closing Ceremony and Future Games
The closing ceremony of the Glasgow Games is set to be a grand affair, with performances by Scottish rock band Simple Minds and a lineup of local talent such as Cammy Barnes, BEMZ, and Sandi Thom. The ceremony will pay tribute to the community, volunteers, and athletes who made the Games possible, while highlighting Glasgow’s pride and achievements. Organizers have also planned for a joint performance by the Highland folk and electronic band Elephant Sessions, and Scottish singer Shereen Cutkelvin will be involved in the ceremonial flag handover. The closing event will also include a special tribute to Scotland by Australian artist Delta Goodrem, 20 years after her memorable appearance at the 2006 Melbourne Games.
Looking ahead, the Commonwealth Games will move to Ahmedabad in western India in 2030. This upcoming event will mark the centenary of the games and promises to be a milestone celebration of the sporting event’s legacy. Bollywood legend Shankar Mahadevan and actress Rashmika Mandanna are expected to perform during the baton handover ceremony. The transition of hosting rights from Glasgow to Ahmedabad will be accompanied by active participation from community groups and cultural organizations, ensuring a fitting tribute to the history and future of the Games.