BREAKING NEW: Prince Edward shocks fans with surprise appearance at huge event
The Duke of Edinburgh made a new appearance in Scotland today.
Prince Edward was spotted in Scotland today (Image: Getty)
Prince Edward delighted fans today with a surprise appearance at an event close to his heart. The Duke of Edinburgh was pictured on Day 0 of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Edward visited the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) to watch some of the opening matches in the bowls – the only sport to have started on Day 0 of the Games.
He arrived in the arena without fanfare, making his way into the stands to sit among the athletes and their coaches. The duke watched for over 90 minutes, as different players rotated in to sit beside him. This year’s Commonwealth Games are taking place between July 23 and August 2 in Glasgow.
Prince Edward watched a game of bowls at the 2026 Commonwealth Games (Image: Getty)
On his way out, he bumped into the drummers who had performed in the break between the sessions and asked to have a go on one of the drums.
They obliged and helped him place one of the drums over his head, and he happily banged the sticks.
Earlier, the duke watched Drums and Roses, formed of two pipers and two drummers, play a medley of Mamma Mia and Proud Mary accompanied by two dancers.
In the players’ zone, he chatted to athletes preparing to go on for the third session, including England’s Sian Honnor, Amy Pharoah and their coach, Sandy Hazell.
Edward, who is vice-patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation and has long been associated with the movement, has been deeply involved in this year’s event.
Last month, he visited the Commonwealth Games Uniform and Accreditation Centre at Caledonia University in Glasgow to meet staff and volunteers amid the preparations.
The Duke of Edinburgh was all smiles (Image: Getty)
Prince Edward has attended every Commonwealth Games since Edinburgh hosted the event in 1986.
The royal has long praised the event as the “greatest manifestation of the Commonwealth”.
Glasgow’s event is set to be attended by the King and Queen.
This year marks the first time the traditional event is held at a royal residence – the Sandringham Estate.
Gardening charity the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is hosting the traditional event at the royal residence, in place of the annual Sandringham Flower Show.
