Commonwealth Games 2018: Opening Ceremony, Live Updates & News

What a ride!

An amazing opening ceremony to begin #GC2018... and we've still got all the sport to come! #7CommGames #ShareTheDream pic.twitter.com/4qhH4f1kmd
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 4, 2018

MEDIA RELEASE: Commonwealth “more relevant than ever before” says CGF President as XXI Commonwealth Games get underway on Gold Coast: https://t.co/ChyYBpg0lS pic.twitter.com/2Gy2xZg6t9
— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) April 4, 2018

White Whale Migaloo is seen during the Opening Ceremony

An extremely emotional ceremony symbolizing togetherness! Until next time, it's a wrap.

The ceremony draws to a close with an exuberant display of fireworks and helicopter shots. Kudos to the Gold Coast and the management, that was one beautiful ceremony leaving the viewers all across the globe mesmerized.

Migaloo, the while whale teaches us that whoever we are and wherever we are, we live in the same place. After all, we are all connected and we all are a part of the human race and the island is the shared home.

On behalf of the Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty the Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales declares the XXI Commonwealth Games OPEN! #SHARETHEDREAM pic.twitter.com/SQispC8KZi
— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) April 4, 2018

The ceremony is drawing to a close with a vibrant display of fireworks.

"One White Whale" is being played in the stadium. An enormous representation of the white whale is being displayed by the performers.

The stadium in complete reverie with the blue lighting, exceptional acrobatic display by the performers and phenomenal music.

"Welcome to Earth" being sung by Delta Goodrem, a singer from Sydney. Her voice is an epitome of sweetness adding cheer to the stadium.

Declaration of the opening of the Commonwealth Games made by Prince Charles.

A general view during the Opening Ceremony

Gold medalist Sally Pearson with the Queen's baton in her hand finally handing it over at the dais where the Queen’s message is removed and handed to HRH Prince Charles.

His Royal Highness has visited 43 of 53 Commonwealth countries to date, many of them on several occasions.#RoyalVisitAustralia
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) April 4, 2018

PROUD AUSTRALIAN 🇦🇺💚💛 pic.twitter.com/7P6zK4OkcE
— Comm Games AUS (@CommGamesAUS) April 4, 2018

MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER BEFORE
Clear message from the President of the CGF that the Commonwealth, today, is more relevant than ever before. #ModernCommonwealth #MoreRelevantThanEverBefore #LoveTheCommonwealth @commonwealthsec @gc2018 pic.twitter.com/R5blLwfOYc
— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) April 4, 2018

Susie O’Neill brings the baton to the stadium in a kombi van.

This has been an extremely colorful ceremony till now.

Different attractions of Queensland being displayed by a scintillating display of graphic visuals.

Quick fact: The medal events for men and women in this year's edition are equal in number

The green of the hinterland of the Queensland being depicted in a performance.

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie is giving his speech. He is urging all the people to share the dream, welcoming the crowds to the Gold Coard and telling them to have the best time while they are here.

“The Oath We come to this place from many lands. To demonstrate the spirit of true sportsmanship that we all share. And to stand up for the values and ideals that live at the heart of these Games: Our shared Humanity – the respect we give each other, finding lasting friendships and common ground in our diversity. Our shared Equality – the level playing field in which we compete, providing fairness and opportunity for all. And our shared Destiny – to do our best here, so we inspire individuals and communities around the world to realize their own aspirations. This is our oath.”

The Official Oath is being taken by Karen Murphy.

Rain or Sun, #TeamINDIA is one! We stand together despite torrential rain and take the tricolour into the #Carrara Stadium @GC2018 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/l0jnOosSlJ
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) April 4, 2018

End of a smoking ceremony approaches. The smoking ceremony is widely practiced in the native regions and it involves the burning of various native plants. Once smoke is produced, it is said to be "bathed in" by the people to connect with each other.

Performers are given lights to wave during the rendition. An attempt most likely to form the Southern Cross, not visible due to the cloudy weather.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales looks on during the Opening Ceremony

"You’re Welcome Here" being sung by Katie Noonan. A completely magical atmosphere created with her magical voice. She is aided by the Gold Coast choir.

Aerial shot of the glittering Carrera Stadium

And behind the Australia team, it is not green and gold but red and gold - the lifeguards

There is a 35000 plus crowd at the stadium.

The Australian team finishes off the Parade of the nations

The Australian crowd really knows how to cheer for their lads

Olympic hockey gold medallist Mark Knowles is the host nation's flagbearer.

The Australians are known to dominate swimming with 551 medals overall till date.

The stadium is starting to rumble as the host nation, Australia steps out. It is complete madness with the crowds going crazy.

With Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands in the stadium, we are just left with 3 teams left to enter.

The Solomon Islands entering the stadium.

Papua New Guinea stepping out with 56 athletes. It will participate in 9 sports together.

Looking amazing! #GC2018 #SHARETHEDREAM https://t.co/A1aQTJ7dF5
— Gold Coast 2018 (@GC2018) April 4, 2018

Cook Islands, Fiji, and Kiribati led out by their respective flag bearers.

Sia's 2016 hit Cheap Thrills was the song accompanying them, completely matching the carefree attitude of the people from the Caribbean.

Fourteen Caribbean nations, starting with Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, and Montserrat step out now. They are usually the runaway leaders in athletics in these games.

Australian sporting champion @AnnaMeares recognised at #GC2018 Opening Ceremony.

📸 @MichaelCWillson pic.twitter.com/YtXlr5IkPi
— Comm Games AUS (@CommGamesAUS) April 4, 2018

Anguilla coming out now, this being their sixth Commonwealth games