The King’s Baton Relay, promoting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, recently completed its British Virgin Islands leg at the Social Development Department’s Senior Games, held at the Multipurpose Sports Complex.
In a significant departure from tradition, this year’s relay features 72 individual batons – one for each Commonwealth nation and territory – rather than a single baton circling the globe. The change reflects King Charles’ commitment to sustainability, with each baton crafted from Scottish ashwood.
Local artist Desiree Smith was selected to decorate the BVI’s baton, incorporating elements that represent the territory’s identity. The design features the territory’s sailing waters, government symbols, cultural markers like coconut trees, and athletic imagery in gold, silver, and bronze. Smith also included local flora and fauna, such as the white cedar and turtle dove, using a vibrant colour palette that reflects the territory’s colours.
The baton’s journey through the BVI included stops at educational institutions on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, as well as various historical and cultural sites before concluding at Government House. The decorated batons from all participating nations will converge at the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for July 23 to August 2, 2026.
The 2026 Games will feature a streamlined program of nine sports, down from the previous 17, marking another significant change in the event’s history.
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