Prince Charles to open CWG in New Delhi

London/New Delhi : Prince Charles will open the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on Sunday, office of the heir of British throne confirmed on Tuesday.

” Prince Charles will open the Games on Sunday evening”, his office said, playing down reports of a row over who would preside, he or India’s President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.

Queen Elizabeth, now 84, would usually open the Games as head of the Commonwealth.

In May the octogenarian had declared that she would not travel to India due to her hectic schedule and, instead, send Prince Charles, her son and heir.

The move, which drew criticism in India, had led the organizers to discuss whether the Indian President should instead inaugurate the Games in New Delhi.

“Both the Prince of Wales and the President of India will have a prominent role in the opening ceremony in Delhi,” a spokeswoman at Clarence House, the prince’s official London residence, said.

“The Queen has asked the Prince of Wales to represent her at the opening of the Commonwealth Games.”