By Victor Kanayo
King Charles will launch the King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace later this year, ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
It is the 18th official Commonwealth Games relay and marks 500 days until the event begins on 23 July next year.
He will hand the baton to champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, the first bearer on its journey around the world.
The relay, which begins in London as part of Commonwealth Day celebrations, will be the King’s first as head of the Commonwealth.
Following Sir Chris Hoy, the next three baton bearers will be wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, ocean plastics campaigner Keiran Healy, and Trinidad & Tobago judo athlete Gabriella Wood, who studies at the University of Stirling.
Trinidad & Tobago will be the first destination for the relay.
The King will place a sealed message into the baton.A
It will remain inside until the opening ceremony, when it will be read out to mark the start of the Games.
