Queen launches 2022 Games Baton relay
Her Majesty The Queen officially launched the Birmingham 2022 Queen 's Baton Relay in a unique ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen, accompanied by The Earl of Wessex, attended a special ceremony on the forecourt of the Palace to launch the 16th official Queen 's Baton Relay.
They were joined by Batonbearers made up of athletes who will be competing in next year 's Games, young flagbearers from the West Midlands, the Birmingham 2022 Hometown Heroes and representatives from across the Commonwealth.
The Queen 's Baton will now visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth for 294 days, covering 140,000 kilometres.
The global journey will conclude at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022.
The Baton was delivered to Buckingham Palace after being carried from Horse Guards Parade and down the Mall by the Birmingham 2022 Hometown Heroes, champions of grassroots sport in the West Midlands, who were accompanied by a Tri-Service military band. One of the Hometown Heroes, Kevin Dillon, a boxing coach from Brierley Hill, brought the Baton to the stage, commencing the start of the ceremony.
The Queen and The Earl of Wessex, Patron and Vice-Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation respectively, met the designers and manufacturers of the Baton, which was unveiled in Birmingham last week.
The Baton was created in a West Midlands collaboration that fused art, technology, and science. Made from copper, aluminium and steel, the Baton also features a platinum strand in homage to Her Majesty The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year.
It is also equipped with cutting-edge technology; 360 degree-camera, heart rate monitor, atmospheric sensors and LED lighting.
Dame Louise Martin DBE, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, and The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE, also accompanied The Queen in the ceremonial party.
Her Majesty 's message was brought to the stage by Haseebah Abdullah, another Hometown Hero and England 's first hijab-wearing boxing coach.
The Queen then placed Her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton, for it to be sealed and locked. The Queen 's message will be read out in full next year at the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony.
Four-time Paralympic gold medallist, Kadeena Cox, had the honour of being the first Batonbearer to receive the Baton from The Queen, marking the official start of the 16th Queen 's Baton Relay.
She then passed it to Team England squash player Declan James and Team Wales boxer Lauren Price who were positioned at The Queen Victoria Memorial.
Further Batonbearers at the ceremony included athletes from Team England and artistic gymnast Alice Kinsella, Team Scotland hockey player Sarah Robertson, and Team Northern Ireland cyclist Mark Downey.
More than 70 young people from Birmingham lined the stage and held flags from all the nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
The flagbearers were made up members of Birmingham City Council 's Youth City Board, plus over 50 individuals from Wilson Stuart School, CORE Academy, Hall Green School and King Edward VI Handsworth School.
The ceremony, hosted by BBC Asian Network presenter Noreen Khan, included performances from Birmingham-based acapella group Black Voices, a live-streamed performance from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Birmingham Poet Laureate and Birmingham 2022 Legacy and Benefits Committee member Casey Bailey wrote and performed a poem called 'Take It On '.
Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE, Chairman of Birmingham 2022, said: “The Queen 's Baton Relay will convey a message of hope and inspiration and will connect peoples from across the Commonwealth during the build-up to the Games and as we look to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen 's Platinum Jubilee. This journey champions the miracle of difference, the individuality of humanity, yet speaks to a collective collaboration of a global community.
“Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, and the Queen 's Baton Relay is just one example of that. We will come together challenging the transformational power of sport to unite us all. Today has been a wonderful celebration for the launch of the Queen 's Baton Relay, and it will be a thrill and a privilege to follow the Baton on its journey and to hear the stories of all the people it meets and delights. ”
Stefanie Bowes, international business manager at the Chamber, said: “The Queen 's Baton Relay is an exciting part of the Commonwealth Games countdown and, as the baton makes its way around the world, the Commonwealth Chamber is looking to work closer with some of the countries involved.
“We are currently working on a number of partnerships and initiatives with countries who are keen to promote and support bilateral trade opportunities across the Commonwealth.
“I would urge anyone who is interested in these trade opportunities to keep in touch with the Commonwealth Chamber. ”
Pictured: Dame Louise Martin, the Earl of Wessex, and The Queen with The Queen 's Baton