By Nick Butler at Buckingham Palace in London

Queen Elizabeth II inspects the Glasgow 2014 batonOctober 9 - The Queen's Baton Relay was launched here this morning by the Queen in a ceremony blending British tradition and pageantry with Scottish music, clothing and atmosphere.


In front of enthusiastic crowds spanning both sides of the Mall the Baton was delivered by one of Scotland's most famous sons, six-time Olympic Champion Sir Chris Hoy.

A parade encompassing flags representing all 70 Commonwealth Games nations and territories then followed.

The Queen, in her role as the Head of the Commonwealth, then inserted a specially commissioned message related to Glasgow in to the baton.

The Queen has composed and signed a special message that will be read out at the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2014The Queen has composed and signed a special message that will be read out at the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2014

As the crowd cheered and the occasional Scottish flag fluttered in the distinctly autumnal breeze the Baton was then set on its way by bearers including the 1980 Moscow Olympic 100 metres champion Allan Wells.

They embarked on a procession around the Mall before the Baton departed to begin its journey.

With the temperature dropping overnight, perhaps to signify that it is Scotland who are hosting next year's Games, the climate was very different to the one at Olympia for the recent Flame Lighting Ceremony for the Winter Olympic Games.

Like in Olympia, tradition was the order of the day, although while crowds began to mill around The Mall, the vibe was still relatively low key.

Indeed, more attention was at one point being given to a wedding couple who had chosen this opportune morning to enjoy a bridal procession.

Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in front of a parade of flags from all 70 Commonwealth Games participantsElizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in front of a parade of flags from all 70 Commonwealth Games participants


All this was to change by 11am when the first echoes of "A Scottish Soldier" could be heard from the vicinity of Trafalgar Square before the kilt-clad Sir Chris, followed by 42 parading Bandsmen from the Scottish Guards, slowly came in to view.

The slow pace of the procession once again provided a sense of contrast with the speed of the Olympic Torch Relay, but a distinctly British ambience was offered beset by the Scottishness of the music and clothing.

Sir Chris carried the baton into Buckingham Palace before the entry of the Queen, who placed the message into the Baton alongside her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, who was most keen to learn the exact hydraulics of the Baton 's mechanism..

The Baton then left the Palace in the hand of first carrier Allan Wells, who like Sir Chris is a Scottish sprinting champion although of the athletics, rather than the cycling, variety,

Wells handed the baton on to swimmer Caitlin McLatchey, who won two gold medals at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and a variety of other budding Scottish athletes.

These included artistic gymnast Cara Kennedy, triple jumper Morgan McKinnon and another swimmer, Ruairi Kirkwood.

Sir Chris Hoy carries the Baton on the Mall to Buckingham Palace to begin the CeremonySir Chris Hoy carries the Baton on the Mall to Buckingham Palace to begin the Ceremony

After delivering the Baton to the Queen, Sir Chris described "a very proud moment" although being so involved will not make the four time Olympian altar his retirement plans ahead of next summer's Games.

"Today was great and was the culmination of so much preparation - it was almost surreal to hear 'A Scottish Soldier' played on the Mall," he told insidethegames.

"A part of me will always wish I could be there competing again but after starting to train after London I realised that it just wasn't possible.

"I will be there though attending the cycling and also lots of other sports which I don't usually get the chance to do.

"Hopefully there will be lots of Scottish medal winners to cheer as well!" 

These positive sentiments were echoed by the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia.

"It's really the first major event that brings awareness to the Commonwealth Games in 2014," he told insidethegames.

"The proceedings went better than 100% perfect and we had a lovely day with even the weather staying cool but dry and her Majesty was in such good form.

"She was very excited about it and very happy.

"I've had messages from all over the world, friends who suddenly see it on television are tweeting me from everywhere round the world so people watch it and it obviously has an impact.

"It went off without a hitch and the baton is now off around the Commonwealth."

Prince Imran alongside the Queen as she got the Baton Relay underway in the forecourt of Buckingham PalacePrince Tunku Imran of Malaysia, President of the CGF, alongside the Queen as she got the Baton Relay underway in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace



Lord Smith, the Chairman of Glasgow 2014, was also keen to express his satisfaction with the Ceremony as he prepared for the journey ahead.

"I thought it weren't really very well - a relatively simple Ceremony but it doesn't get better than prime time television with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh," he reflected to insidethegames.

"They don't close the Mall regularly for things so we've been given great prominence.

"Tonight the Baton goes up to Glasgow and tomorrow about lunch time, onto an Emirates flight who are one of our major sponsors, and off it goes to India who held the last Commonwealth Games and from there around the world."

After the ceremony guests and dignitaries departed to Marlborough House for a reception while the Baton indeed began its journey visiting all 70 Commonwealth Nations and territories over the next 288 days.

The Queen will then declare the Games open at the Opening Ceremony in Glasgow on July 23 next year.