Commonwealth Games Gets Awkward With the Queen and a Baton

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By Jenni Ryall2014-07-24 00:09:13 UTC

SYDNEY — The 20th Commonwealth Games kicked off with an opening ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday morning. And if Rod Stewart's appearance wasn't awkward enough — see, below — it got worse.

See also: Australia and Scotland Compete for Ugliest Uniform at Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games president Prince Imran, from Malaysia, was supposed to retrieve the Queen's message from a baton, and hand it over to Her Majesty to read to the crowd. Simple, right? Not quite.

Imran tried and tried to open the lid. It was kind of funny, at first.

There was great concern from the three viewers.

A desperate call for help.

Then Scottish Olympian Chris Hoy came to the rescue.

The prince and the athlete fought over who was stronger.

‘Queen Elizabeth’ got impatient.

Then there was relief.

Hoy makes it clear who was responsible.

Let the games finally begin.

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