London 2012 Olympics: Queen to open the Olympic Games The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will lead the Opening Ceremony at the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium when the Games begin on July 27, as was widely expected. Buckingham House officials also revealed that the couple, who have long been strong supporters of the Olympics, will open the Paralympic Games on Aug 29 - a first for the Queen. As head of the Commonwealth, the Queen opened the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, and her husband opened the Melbourne Games on her behalf in 1956. The 1984 Paralympic Games were officially opened by Prince Charles, son of the couple. Those games were held in both Europe and North America, with the opening ceremony in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire - the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "This summer we will be hosting the largest Paralympic Games ever and the opening ceremony on August 29 will be a fantastic event. The Paralympic Games will undoubtedly be a time of extraordinary pride for our nation, and it is fitting that Her Majesty will declare us under way.