David Beckham and terminally ill six-year-old Kirsty Howard helped the Queen open the Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Thursday night, in a ceremony that defied tradition and mixed pomp, pop, and dancing yet closed with an iconic moment that was as tearful as it was euphoric.
Almost 40,000 people packed the new City of Manchester stadium to welcome teams from 72 nations and territories at the 17-sport event. In keeping with Manchester’s proud, down-to-earth reputation, dignitaries – including Prince Edward – were ferried to the stadium in black taxicabs rather than the traditional black limousines.
The two-hour ceremony was kicked off by Britain’s greatest ever Olympian, Sir Steven Redgrave beating out a rhythm on a huge drum – a gift from Malaysia, the last hosts of the games. Then a fanfare from the band of the Grenadier Guards heralded the arrival of the Queen in her new Rolls Royce. Dressed in a lime jacket and hat, the monarch took her seat just as the pop group S Club enthused the crowds with an energetic live performance.
As the concert closed the 72 countries’ teams began their parade around the track in ceremonial order. Breaking with etiquette, which dictates that the athletes form neat lines after their march, the teams mingled and bopped together at the centre of the stadium in a reference the city’s reputation as the party capital of the UK.
As the evening drew to a close, the Jubilee baton was delivered to the stadium by an acrobat dangling from a balloon 150ft above the ground. It was then handed from Commonwealth sporting legend to Commonwealth sporting legend before being passed to the last in line, Manchester native Kirsty Howard.
Six-year-old Kirsty, who was given six weeks to live two and a half years ago, was chosen to hand the baton to the Queen as a symbol of the fighting spirit of the working-class city.
Such is the fragility of Kirsty’s heart she could only manage a few steps. At her side, and helping her towards the platform, was the sportsman who has cited her as his inspiration, David Beckham.
In another departure from ceremony, the Queen stepped off the platform to take the baton. Since starting its journey in April, the baton had travelled 63,000 miles through 23 countries of the group of former British colonies before arriving in Manchester on Wednesday. After the Queen had declared the games officially open, the evening drew to a close with a three-minute pyrotechnic display.
