Prince Charles reads Queen’s secret message that carries ‘shared hopes and dreams’ after 90,000 mile journey

Prince Charles has read the Queen's secret message that carried ‘shared hopes and dreams” after making an extraordinary 90,000 mile journey. 

• The Prince of Wales traveled to Birmingham to officially open the Commonwealth Games 2022 at Alexander Stadium on July 28. 
• The future King took to the stage to read out a heartfelt message from Her Majesty which has been taken across 72 nations. 
• This royal news comes as Prince William and Prince Harry’s major life changes will be forever connected by this special place. 

The extended Royal Family are well known for their passion for sporting events, from Princess Anne’s Olympic career to Kate Middleton unveiling her rugby talent after taking on two new patronages early this year. Now the Prince of Wales has got to play a major part in the first ever Commonwealth Games to be hosted in the West Midlands region. With talented athletes from across the world gathering in Birmingham, it was Prince Charles who stepped in on behalf of the monarch to officially open the 22nd Commonwealth Games. 

But whilst the Prince of Wales, who is first in the royal line of succession, is certainly no stranger to delivering hugely powerful speeches of his own, this time it was the Queen’s ‘wise words’ that left fans watching hanging on his every word…

Back in October 2021, the Queen penned a secret message to the Commonwealth before stepping out at Buckingham Palace for her first major public engagement since the pandemic. The Queen marked Halloween season in vibrant orange as she launched the Queen’s Baton Relay which took the message across 72 nations.

Now the contents of that message have finally been shared with the world. As seen in a BBC Sport video shared by the Royal Family Clarence House, Prince Charles took to the stage at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium to open the games.

“On October the 7th last year the specially created baton left Buckingham Palace to travel across the Commonwealth. Over the past 294 it has carried not only my message to you, but also the shared hopes and dreams of each nation and territory through which it has passed as it made its way to Birmingham,” the Prince of Wales declared, reading out his mother’s carefully considered message.

The Queen's secret message went on to reflect that the Commonwealth Games has “created memorable shared experiences, established long-standing relationships and even created some friendly rivalries.”

He continued, “But above all they remind us of our connection with one another. Wherever we may be in the world as part of the Commonwealth family of Nations. 

“Tonight, in the words of the founder of the games, we embark once again on a novel adventure here in Birmingham - a pioneering city, which has drawn in and embraced so many throughout its history. It is a city symbolic of the rich diversity and unity of the commonwealth and one which now welcomes you all in friendship.”

Her Majesty gave thanks to everyone who worked hard to “ensure the success of this particularly special” event and she wished each team and athlete success too.

“Your hard work and dedication, particularly in recent times, have been an inspiration to all of us. It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 22nd Commonwealth Games open!” the message powerfully concluded. 

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games opening ceremony took place on July 28 and the closing ceremony is set to take place on August 8. The athletes, teams and everyone involved in bringing the games to the midlands City will likely be very touched by the Queen's secret message and its gratitude and support of them.