Aishwarya Rai to carry the Queen's Baton ahead of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

The Queen's Relay Baton is on its final lap in Australia ahead of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast on April 4. While the baton had its five-day tour in India last October, it will pass through the hands of another Indian today Down Under. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be the baton-bearer in Sydney today.

Says a source close to the Bachchans, "The Sydney celebrations will take place over Saturday and Sunday. Aishwarya will receive it this evening from Australian high jumper-model Amy Pejkovic at the Longines Boutique, as the brand is one of the sponsors of the Commonwealth Games. On Sunday, Amy will continue the relay as she heads out to Sydney Olympic Park with the baton."

The event will also see Rai attending a dinner at the Opera House with dignitaries associated with the Commonwealth Games and high-profile celebrities from Australia. As is the tradition, the relay began on March 13 last year at the Buckingham Palace where Queen Elizabeth placed her message inside the baton. After a journey spanning more than 230,000 kilometres across almost 70 nations and territories, the baton will make its way to Carrara Stadium on April 4. At the opening ceremony, Prince Charles will remove the letter and read it aloud to declare the games open.

As for Rai, she will fulfill her professional commitments just in time to bring in husband Abhishek Bachchan's birthday on Sunday night in the Australian city. The source reveals that the actor has arranged a special dinner. "She has planned an intimate dinner for the three of them - Abhishek, Aaradhya and her - at one of the top restaurants in Sydney. Aishwarya has ordered Abhishek's favourite cake for the occasion."

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here.

Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go