A tribute to late monarch Queen Elizabeth II and a present of help for Ukraine amid Russian invasion had been among the many options of London’s New Yr fireworks. Greater than 100,000 folks gathered on the banks of the Thames to mark the start of 2023 as 12,000 fireworks streaked throughout the sky. The theme of the present was “love and unity”.

Watch: New Yr celebrations at Occasions Sq. in New York… and the ball drops

At the start of the present, drones spelled out the message “2023 with love from London”. Then adopted a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September. The tribute featured a voice recording from her and phrases from Dame Judi Dench. Massive Ben chimed because the show featured a drone mild show of a crown and Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait on a coin hovering within the sky.

The present additionally highlighted the Lionesses’ Euro win at Wembley and marked 50 years of London’s Pleasure. Music that was featured within the present included Neil Diamond’s Candy Caroline, Ukrainian Eurovision winner Kalush Orchestra, and songs from Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Cher, Dave, Rihanna and Calvin Harris The present concluded with the normal Auld Lang Syne.

In the meantime, in Edinburgh, folks gathered for the primary full Hogmanay celebrations in three years, as Covid curbs had been lifted. The present featured 80s duo The Pet Store Boys as fireworks lit up the sky behind town’s fortress.