Birmingham 2022: From a raging bull to a fruity hot air balloon, the opening ceremony in pictures

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Fireworks explode over the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.Credit:AP

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The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games took place at the 30,000-capacity Alexander Stadium.Credit:AP

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Prince Charles drove himself and wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in an Aston Martin into Birmingham’s Alexander Park in a convoy of 72 classic British-made cars. Credit:AP

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The Commonwealth Games flag is carried past the athletes.Credit:AP

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Australia is represented by its largest team at an overseas Commonwealth Games – and the second largest team ever – as one of 72 nations taking part in the event.Credit:Getty

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The Australian team of more than 430 athletes comprises a record 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes and 75 para-athletes.Credit:Getty

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The team is again hoping to top the medal table after winning 80 gold medals and making 198 trips to the podium on home soil four years ago.Credit:Getty

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Flag bearers Eddie Ockenden and Rachael Grinham lead the team for the ceremony.Credit:Getty

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Team Australia enter Alexander Stadium.Credit:AP

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A giant 10m tall mechanical 'Raging Bull' was a highlight of the ceremony.Credit:AP

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The mechanical bull settled in the middle of the stadium.Credit:Getty

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The bull was tamed by a performer.Credit:Getty

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The bull, which took five months to build, sheds armour to symbolise the Birmingham strikes of 1910 when the chain makers went on strike for better conditions.Credit:AP