Prince Charles, Duran Duran and a giant bull: All the highlights of the Comm Games Opening Ceremony
<p>The 2022 Commonwealth Games are officially underway, after the impressive opening ceremony kicked off on Thursday evening. </p>
<p>The extravagant ceremony captivated the attention of local and international fans, with TV viewers around the word tuning in to the Birmingham event. </p>
<p>Prince Charles arrived at the Alexander Stadium in style, driving the same Aston Martin the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge famously left Buckingham Palace in on their wedding day.</p>
<p>The Prince of Wales drove his luxury, vintage car out onto the arena before a display where several motor vehicles combined to form a perfect Union Jack on the arena surface.</p>
<p>The ceremony celebrated aspects of the rich history and culture of Birmingham, with a 10 metre tall mechanical "Raging Bull" being waltzed into the stadium. </p>
<p>The Bull Ring is a major shopping district in the city, which also features a sculpture of a bull, while the mascot for these Commonwealth Games is Perry the Bull.</p>
<p>Female chain makers dragged the bull into the stadium, representing the chains used during the slave trade.</p>
<p>The bull then broke free of those chains — symbolising the abolition of the slave trade and the 1910 wage strike that paved the way for women to break free from poverty.</p>
<p>Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai addressed the audience early in the ceremony, sharing a heartfelt message about how Birmingham became her home and welcomed her family.</p>
<p>Musical act Duran Duran, who began their career in Birmingham, closed the ceremony as they belted out fan favourite tracks such as <em>Save A Prayer</em>, <em>Planet Earth</em> and <em>Ordinary World</em>.</p>
<p>The Commonwealth Games will run until August 8th, with 72 countries competing in 19 sports over the 11-day event. </p>
<p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>
