In Pictures: Raging Bull kicks off Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony saw the Red Arrows and a huge raging bull kick off a carnival of colour in Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Thursday night.

Performances from Brummie musicians, 1980s new wavers Duran Duran and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, provided the soundtrack to an evening that had plenty of references to the host city.

The Red Arrows flypast goes over the stadium during the opening ceremony (Zac Goodwin/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Zac Goodwin

Performers during the opening ceremony (David Davies/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - David Davies

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive in style (Davies Davies/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - David Davies

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall drove into the venue in a vintage Aston Martin as part of a convoy of 72 cars which formed a Union flag when viewed from above.

A giant puppet depicting Edwin Elgar takes centre stage (Mike Egerton/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Mike Egerton

Activist Malala Yousafzai, who settled in Birmingham when she came to the UK, addresses the crowd (David Davies/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - David Davies

Performers around the Raging Bull (Mike Egerton/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Mike Egerton

BMX riders thrill the crowd (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

Drag queen Ginny Lemon performs high above the ground (David Davies/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - David Davies

The huge Raging Bull breathes steam (Tim Goode/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Tim Goode

The Women appears on top of the Raging Bull (David Davies/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - David Davies

There were plenty of references to Birmingham’s industrial history (Mike Egerton/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Mike Egerton

Participants thrilled the crowd with sky high performances (Tim Goode/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Tim Goode

Performers dance on a water-soaked stage (Zac Goodwin/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Zac Goodwin

Teams from around the Commonwealth paraded before the capacity crowd.

Ghana’s athletes enter the stadium (Mike Egerton/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Mike Egerton

Birmingham band Duran Duran performed some of their hits at the close of the ceremony.

Duran Duran perform at the Alexander Stadium (Mike Egerton/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Mike Egerton