29 Sep 2010

Indian President to co-open games with Prince Charles

7:25 am on 29 September 2010

The Commonwealth Games Federation has avoided a potential diplomatic feud by deciding that India's President Pratibha Patil will jointly open the games this weekend with Prince Charles.

With the Queen deciding not to go to Delhi, Prince Charles is scheduled to speak on his mother's behalf at Sunday's opening ceremony, and he will read The Queen's message, which ends with the opening of the games, before President Patil delivers her address.

Many Indians felt their President should be the one to officially inaugurate the games in the absence of the Queen.