The baton that will make its way around the world ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games has a special Jubilee touch.
The Queen’s Baton features a platinum streak across it to honour the milestone that Elizabeth II will reach in 2022.
The design of the baton was revealed on October 7th 2022 as it began its epic journey around 72 nations and territories ahead of the Games which take place in Birmingham next summer.
The Queen, who is Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, was joined by the organisation’s Vice Patron, the Earl of Wessex, at Buckingham Palace for the start of the relay which will see the baton travel over 90,000 miles. Its first stop will be Cyprus.
The baton was brought to the Palace by the 2022 Birmingham Hometown Heroes, who all work to promote grassroots sport in the West Midlands where the Games will take place next year. The Queen wrote a special message to the Commonwealth which was placed inside the baton. Its contents won’t be revealed until the Games begin, on July 28th 2022. Her Majesty then presented it to Kadeena Cox, four times Paralympics gold medallist, who took it on the first part of its tour.
The Commonwealth Games will see over 4,500 athletes compete in dozens of disciplines with the event lasting until August 8th 2022.
The Queen and many members of the Royal Family are expected to attend the Games which will be another major event of Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year.