Silence for Malaysia jet victims at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

The 298 victims of the Malaysia Airlines crash were remembered at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a minute’s silence. Almost a third of the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down over Ukraine, were citizens of the Commonwealth, including 44 from Malaysia and 27 from Australia. The Malaysian team entered the stadium with their flag at half-mast and wore black armbands, and the frontline of the contingent wore the uniform of Malaysia Airlines flight crew as a tribute to the MH17 disaster.

To you, the Commonwealth athletes, I send my good wishes for success in your endeavours. Your accomplishments over the coming days will encourage us all to strengthen the bonds that unite us.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the 20th Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park on Wednesday in front of a 40,000 capacity crowd. The Loch Ness Monster, tartan-clad bagpipers and giant pieces of shortbread took the place of footballers on the Celtic Park pitch as the Games began with a celebration of Scottish mythology and exports on Wednesday.

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