Queen, Bond, Team Nigeria in spectacular Opening Ceremony

The Queen made her movie acting debut as she joined James Bond in the spectacular Olympic Games opening ceremony.

In a scene filmed in advance and screened for the first time, Bond actor Daniel Craig arrives at Buckingham Palace in a dinner jacket, striding past the corgis towards the royal study.

“Good evening Mr Bond,” says the Queen, before they leave together, apparently heading towards the Olympic Stadium in a helicopter. Back in real time, to peals of laughter and delight from the crowd, “the Queen” followed by “Bond”, parachuted from a helicopter towards the arena.

Seconds later the real Queen and Prince Philip received a standing ovation as they arrived.

Earlier Tour de France hero Bradley Wiggins rang the giant bell which marked the start of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Wearing a yellow jersey Wiggins, who less than a week ago became the first British man to win the Tour, was greeted with cheers at the Olympic Park.

It was the dramatic start of a breathtaking ceremony capturing the best of Britain, by turn moving and funny. Some details of the Bond stunt had emerged in advance of the £27 million opening ceremony – the brainchild of Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle. But the Queen’s role – played to perfection – still left the audience awe-struck and delighted both in the stadium and around the world. “The Queen made herself more accessible than ever before,” Boyle said earlier.

Boltic Sinivie, Nigeria’s  flagbearer, joined athletes from the 204 competing Olympic nations as they smiled and waved during their moment in the spotlight.