Charles' office says he will open CWG instead of Patil

London, Sep 27 (PTI) Ending weeks of speculation over who
will inaugurate the Commonwealth Games, the British royal
family Monday announced that Prince Charles will declare the
event open instead of Indian President Pratibha Patil.
After confusion grew over who will open the event among
the two, Charles' office Clarence House issued a statement,
asserting that the heir-to-the-throne will inaugurate it.
Charles is attending the Games as a representative of
Queen Elizabeth II, the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth
who will give the event a miss for the first time in 44 years.
"There is no row. Both The Prince of Wales and the
President of India will have a prominent role in the opening
ceremony in Delhi. The Queen has asked The Prince of Wales to
represent her at the opening of the Commonwealth Games.
"We cannot be specific about the choreography but The
Prince will read out the Queen's baton message, ending by
declaring the Games open," a statement from the Clarence House
read.
Earlier, a British tabloid quoted some of the officials
of the Indian Department of Information as saying that the
Indian President would open the Games.
The Queen's Baton Relay has acted as the curtain-raiser
to every Games since Cardiff in 1958.
It involves the Baton being sent off by the Queen, then
carried through each Commonwealth nation until it is passed
back to the Monarch as her message to the athletes is read
out at the opening. PTI HSR
SAK


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain
proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify
the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
contained in it.


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next