HABERDASHERS’ Monmouth School was proud to welcome the King’s Baton this week as part of its journey across Wales, ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The visit captured the energy and enthusiasm of pupils as they showcased the breadth of sport on offer at the school from athletics, swimming, netball and rugby to cricket and rowing as well as disciplines supported by their Eddie Butler Strength and Conditioning Centre such as boxing, weightlifting and golf.

The visit forms part of the King’s Baton Relay, a global tradition in which a baton carrying a message from His Majesty King Charles, III travels across the Commonwealth before the Games’ opening ceremony.

This year’s relay is the largest ever, spanning 74 nations and territories over 500 days, bringing communities together through sport and shared values. In a new approach for Glasgow 2026, each nation has its own baton, each engraved with a single word from the King’s message – Wales' word being “community”.

That message resonated strongly throughout the visit, with pupils embracing the opportunity to be part of a moment of international significance.

The baton itself reflects the Games’ commitment to sustainability, crafted from responsibly sourced materials and designed to be simple, symbolic and enduring. As it continues its journey across Wales and on to Glasgow, where all batons will reunite for the opening ceremony, the visit provided a memorable celebration of sport, teamwork and global connection.

The school extends its thanks to TeamWales and everyone involved in bringing this inspiring experience to its pupils. They wish all athletes representing the Commonwealth every success at the Games this summer.

Each Commonwealth nation will receive a Baton as part of the celebrations and participants have been asked to customise it to reflect their culture.