The latest drama to take hold of the Commonwealth Games has been resolved, with Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prince Charles both having the honour of opening the troubled event.
The Commonwealth Games Federation announced the news in the hope that it would quell a brewing diplomatic feud.
With Queen Elizabeth II skipping the October 3-14 event Prince Charles is scheduled to speak on his mother's behalf at Sunday's opening ceremony.
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The Federation said in a statement that the prince "will read The Queen's message, which ends with the opening of the games," with President Patil then reading a statement of his own before the Games officially get underway.
"The president of India will then deliver her address and signal the commencement of the games," the Federation said.
Although Prince Charles will be the 'ranking' member of commonwealth at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, many Indians feel Patil should be the one to officially inaugurate the games in the absence of the Queen.
After media reports started debating who should open the games, the prince's office, Clarence House, issued a statement Monday saying there was no feud.
"There is no row," the statement read.
"Both the Prince of Wales and the president of India will have a prominent role in the opening ceremony in Delhi.
"We cannot be specific about the choreography, but the prince will read out the Queen's baton message, ending by declaring the games open."
