A tribute to the late Queen and a show of support for Ukraine featured in London’s New Year drone and fireworks display, as more than 100,000 people gathered on the banks of the Thames to mark the beginning of 2023.
Some 12,000 fireworks lit up the sky in the sold-out show, which was created with the theme of “love and unity”.
At the beginning of the display, drones spelled out the message “2023 with love from London”.
The tribute to the Queen, who died in September, featured a voice recording from her and words from Dame Judi Dench.
Then it honoured the King, with a message from him about the need to preserve our planet.
It also highlighted the Lionesses’ Euro win at Wembley and marked 50 years of London’s Pride with a message from Peter Tatchell from the Gay Liberation Front.
Music included Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, Ukrainian Eurovision winner Kalush Orchestra, and hits from Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Cher, Dave, Rihanna and Calvin Harris, with the show concluding with the traditional Auld Lang Syne.
Sources: BBC; Sky News