Olympic opening ceremony images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A spectacular firework display marked the band's performance

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

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

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

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

The audience watched open-mouthed as the burning petals raised

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Performers play cricket during the Opening Ceremony pre-show

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The stadium is filled with dancers on giant beds

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

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

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

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