The opening ceremony featured patriotic performances celebrating British culture and history as well as a lighting of the Olympic cauldron. Performers reenacted iconic British scenes from literature and sports while others represented the country's national healthcare system. A highlight was a stuntman portraying the Queen parachuting into the stadium before unveiling a large Union Jack flag.

2. The petals converged into one, after they were lit by the seven teenagers, rising high above the
stadium

3. The Queen is applauded by other dignitaries after making her arrival in the Olympic Stadium

4. Spectacular entrance: A stuntman portraying the Queen tumbles out of a helicopter high above
the Olympic Stadium before unfurling a Union Jack

5. Atkinson cheated his way to victory in a mock up of the famous Chariots of Fire scene

6. Children perform on trampolines as dancers play Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital staff

7. Actresses dressed as Mary Poppins float above the stadium, clinging onto umbrellas

8. Rowan Atkinson in his role as Mr Bean takes part in an Opening Ceremony sketch

9. David Beckham appears to drive the torch up the River Thames in a Speedboat, as fireworks are
set off on Tower Bridge

10. Performers pay silent tribute to war dead and the victims of the 7/7 terrorist attacks

11. ... but he had a little help from a crew, who were cleverly hidden from shot

12. Scottish singer Emeli Sande of performs a moving rendition of 'Abide With Me'

13. Flying the flag: Usain Bolt of Jamaica and Maria Sharapova of Russia carry their nations' flags into
the Stadium

14. Proud moment: Sir Chris Hoy acts as flag bearer for Great Britain as the team enters the Olympic
Stadium

15. A spectacular firework display marked the band's performance

16. Fireworks lit up the night sky as the Stadium anxiously awaited the arrival of the Olympic Flame

17. The flame is passed to five times gold medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave by David Beckham, who
carried the flame into Stratford on a speedboat

18. The sporting prospects lit the petals, after they were passed the flame by Sir Steve Redgrave

19. Former British rower and five times Olympic gold medalist, Steve Redgrave, passes the Torch to
seven children, nominated to light the flame

20. The audience watched open-mouthed as the burning petals raised

21. London is illuminated by a stunning firework display as the Opening Ceremony reaches a
crescendo

22. Strict operations: A group of police officers gather together outside the Olympics stadium in
Stratford, east London, and take security instructions from a senior policeman in plain clothes

23. Officers wait on a street outside the Olympics stadium as the final preparations for the event are
put in place. There are added tensions after security blunders by G4S

24. Costume contest: A Brazilian and a Brit compete for the most creative Opening Ceremony
costume in the Olympic Park

25. Ready, steady, go!: Crowds start to arrive in Stratford shortly after 5, ahead of the Opening
Ceremony tonight

26. Crowds pour through the Olympic Park as audience members start to fill the stadium

27. Performers in period costume as nurses pose as they arrive for the Opening Ceremony

28. The Red Arrows fly past as a giant clock countdowns to the start of the Opening Ceremony

29. Performers in costume gather on the field with animals before before the opening ceremony of
the Olympic Games

30. Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge take in the pre-show after arriving
at the Opening Ceremony

31. The world gathers in Stratford: Fans from Ethiopia, draped in their country's flag arrive for the
Opening Ceremony

32. Showcase: Three young people in the crowd try out their 3D glasses at the Opening Ceremony at
the Olympic Stadium

33. Animals, including geese take to the stage against a backdrop of artificial clouds and a giant
water wheel during the opening ceremony

34. Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor get into the festive spirit,

35. Performers play cricket during the Opening Ceremony pre-show

36. Weather-beaten fans improvise as rain begins to fall on the Olympic Stadium ahead of the
Opening Ceremony

37. Weather-beaten fans improvise as rain begins to fall on the Olympic Stadium ahead of the
Opening Ceremony

38. Actor Kenneth Branagh performs a speech from Shakespeare's The Tempest in character as
Isambard Kingdom Brunel

39. Industrial workers forge the Olympic rings in a mocked up steel mil
Industrial workers forge the Olympic rings in a mocked up steel mil

40. The Olympic rings are illuminated with pyrotechnics as they are raised above the stadium during
the Opening Ceremony

41. The lights dimmed inside the stadium, while a tribute to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
glowed blue

42. The stadium is filled with dancers on giant beds

43. Oh look the Yanks have got there first: Ryan Musgrave of Chicago holds up a U.S. flag

44. Supporting Team GB: Spectators adorned with with the Union Jack flags pose in the Olympic Park
prior to the start of the ceremony

45. An excited British fan is among the first to arrive in the stadium. Each audience member will find
a Cadbury's chocolate bar and a interactive wand under their seat

46. The giant Olympic Bell strikes an imposing figure at the end of the stadium. The bell will ring
during the show, marking the start of the Games