The Queen officially started the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay on Wednesday (October 9) in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The baton will visit all 70 competing Commonwealth nations, including Pakistan, South Africa, Jamaica and Canada.

After travelling to Scotland, where the Games will take place, its first port of call will be India on October 11.

British cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medal winner, Sir Chris Hoy delivered the baton to Buckingham Palace, where it was handed to the Queen by Prince Tunku Imran, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

"Everytime the baton is passed, it will cement the Commonwealth friendship and reinforce the ways in which we are connected. We share history, values and goals while recognising and appreciating our diversity," said Imran.

The Queen placed a hand-written message to the Commonwealth on a rolled up parchment into the baton before handing it to former British Olympic champion sprinter, Alan Wells.

The Baton Relay will no longer travel to Gambia as the country withdrew from the Commonwealth last week branding it a "neo-colonial institution".

The 288 day relay will continue until the Games opening ceremony on July 23 next year in Glasgow. The Queen will then read out the message she placed inside the baton.

Presented by Adam Justice