A Photo Story: Celebration and regret as Britain leaves EU after 47 years
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Almost four years on from the Leave vote in the 2016 referendum, the UK ceased to be a member of the bloc at midnight on Friday.
The historic moment was marked by both celebrations and anti-Brexit protests.
Candlelit vigils were held in Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU, while Brexiteers partied in London’s Parliament Square and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to bring the country together and “take us forward”.
Nigel Farage of the Brexit Party speaks to pro Brexit supporters celebrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. Britain officially exited the EU on 31 January 2020, beginning an eleven month transition period. EPA-EFE/NEIL HALL
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo (R) and Foreign Minister Joseph Garcia (L) attends a ceremony to replace the European flag with the Commonwealth’s one in Gibraltar, 01 February 2020. EPA-EFE/CARRASCO RAGEL
The Union Jack is seeing in 10 Downing street to mark the departure of the UK from the EU in London. EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVER
Pro EU supporters pose with face masks resembling British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, minutes before midnight, as the UK leaves the EU in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/CLEMENS BILAN
Pro Brexit supporters celebrate after the UK left the EU, outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/NEIL HALL
A light display with the countdown for Brexit at No. 10 Downing street in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVER
A handout photo made available by Sky News shows a farewell message projected on the White Cliffs of Dover, in Dover, Britain, 31 January 2020. British TV channel Sky News marked Brexit day with a farewell message in different languages projected on the White Cliffs of Dover. The UK officially exits the EU on 31 January 2020, beginning an eleven month transition period. EPA-EFE/Tim P. Whitby / SKY NEWS HANDOUTA protest is held by Border Communities against Brexit on the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland near Newry in Northern Ireland, Britain, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/AIDAN CRAWLEYA light display shows a countdown for Brexit at No. 10 Downing street in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVERPro Brexit supporters celebrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/NEIL HALLPro Brexit supporters celebrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/NEIL HALL
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A view of the empty place of the Union Jack-British flag at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, 31 January 2020. Britain officially exits the EU on 31 January 2020, beginning an eleven month transition period. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET / POOL POOL EPA
EU Council staff removed the Union Jack-British flag from the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET / POOL POOL EPA
A man removes the European Union flag from the UK representation to the EU in Brussels, Belgium, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET / POOL
Pro Brexit supporters celebrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. EPA-EFE/NEIL HALL
A projection appears on a wall in Ramsgate, Britain, 31 January 2020. Britain officially exits the EU on 31 January 2020, beginning an eleven month transition period. EPA-EFE/VICKIE FLORES
