The King's Baton Comes to London as Part of London Sports Festival

On 26 May, London played host to one of the most memorable moments in the build-up to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - as the Team England leg of the King's Baton Relay arrived in the City of London as part of London Sports Festival, delivered by Central London Alliance in partnership with Blue Orchid Hospitality and with support from the City of London Corporation.

The day began at St Paul's Cathedral, where the Baton was carried up the iconic steps by Jamell Anderson, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Team England 3x3 basketball player, alongside three fellow Team England athletes. The Baton was formally received by The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett of St Paul's Cathedral and the Sheriff and Deputy Keith Bottomley of the City of London, before being blessed in a symbolic moment of unity and celebration.

From St Paul's, the Baton made its way through Temple Bar, where a traditional carpet guard and pikemen procession ceremonially admitted it into the City, before arriving at Paternoster Square, passing through a celebratory crowd of children from local charities and community clubs.

At Paternoster Square, the Baton took centre stage on a specially installed 3x3 basketball court. Following official speeches, the square opened to the public for a full day of free activity including basketball competitions, coaching sessions, Corporate Challenges, and wheelchair 3x3 basketball experiences run by the London Titans and Wheelchair Basketball England. Workers, residents, and visitors of all ages and abilities came together to play, celebrate, and be part of something genuinely special.

The King's Baton remained on display throughout the day, giving members of the public a rare opportunity to photograph this iconic symbol against the backdrop of one of London's most extraordinary settings.

About the Baton

For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, every nation and territory has received its own Baton to customise and decorate. Team England's Baton was designed by Cornish artist Bonnie Steward, who works with discarded and recovered materials collected through beach and urban clean-ups. Three panels tell the story of England - Urban, Coastal, and the nation as a whole - with imagery including Tower Bridge, the White Cliffs of Dover, and the Lake District, all rendered in plastic waste found on beaches and city streets.

All 74 Batons will be reunited at the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026, where the King's Message, which was placed into the Scotland Baton by His Majesty at Buckingham Palace on 10 March 2025, will be read aloud to declare the Games open.

Blue Orchid Hospitality and London Sports Festival

Blue Orchid Hospitality is proud to be a headline partner of London Sports Festival - a unique festival of sporting installations and activations across some of London's most iconic locations. This partnership reflects Blue Orchid’s commitment to supporting sport, culture and art in London.

The festival is brought to you by Central London Alliance and the full programme can be found at londonsportsfestival.com.

If you're staying with Blue Orchid and want to take part in what's still to come this summer, Tower Suites and Tower Residences put you right in the middle of all of it.

Book direct at blueorchid.com