Queen hands over bizarre ‘paperclip’ baton to start Commonwealth Games global relay from Buckingham Palace
Her Royal Highness sported a broad grin as she clutched the odd-shaped object
THE QUEEN kicked off the countdown to the 2018 Commonwealth Games - by happily handing over a bizarre baton to a cycling champion.
Her Royal Highness sported a broad grin as she gripped the odd object that resembles a giant paperclip.
In a ceremony outside Buckingham Palace she passed it to double Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Anna Meares as it started its journey to host country Australia.
She was joined by her former rival and now friend, Team GB champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton, to start the first leg of the relay.
Pendleton said: "It is an honour to be recognised and be asked to participate in something like this. There will be lots of people on the route who have volunteered... and it will be their way of connecting with the whole Commonwealth Games and what it means to people.
"It is the first time I have been part of a Queen's baton relay so for me it was... a massive honour."
The baton is made out of macadamia wood, reclaimed plastic and steel.
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Its design was inspired by Australia's indigenous heritage.
Its designer Warren Schroder admitted: "There are going to be people that don't like it.
School children from all of the countries represented at the games were also at the event and there was a performance from Australian singer Cody Simpson.
The relay will span 388 days, 71 countries and more than 200,000 miles before reaching the Gold Coast.
The games begin on April 4 2018.
Australian Paralympian Kurt Fearnley brought the baton to the palace before it was given to the Queen.
In a message to mark Commonwealth Day The Queen highlighted how respect and understanding for one another are the cornerstones of peace.
She said: "The cornerstones on which peace is founded are, quite simply, respect and understanding for one another. Working together, we build peace by defending the dignity of every individual and community.
"By upholding justice and the rule of law, and by striving for societies that are fair and offer opportunities for all, we overcome division and find reconciliation, so that the benefits of progress and prosperity may be multiplied and shared.”
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