In Pictures: The London 2012 Opening Ceremony

Dancers perform during the "Night Out" scene in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX *** Local Caption *** 080519-01-08.jpg

Dancers perform in front of a "setting sun" in a scene dramatising the struggle between life and death. Thomas Coex / AFP

Children representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital, the NHS and childrens literature participate in the ceremony. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Kenneth Branagh, as Ismbard Kingdom Brunel, looks on from the top of a fake hill in the Olympic Stadium. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Inside the Olympic Stadium, as athletes being their parade of flags. Stu Forster / Getty Images.

Bahya Mansour Al Hamad of the Qatar Olympic shooting team carries her country's flag. Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the opening ceremony. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

A flying cyclist is suspended above the stadium. Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Sarah Attar, one of the first female athletes to compete for Saudi Arabia, enters the stadium. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Danny Boyle, the director of the opening ceremony, watches the proceedings. Toby Melville - IOPP Pool /Getty Images

Fireworks erupt over the stadium as the opening ceremony draws to a close. Elsa/Getty Images

The flags of the competing nations are placed together on the hill inside the stadium. Michael Regan / Getty Images

Sir Paul McCartney performs during the Opening Ceremony. Lars Baron / Getty Images

Torchbearer Sir Steve Redgrave hands the Olympic Flame over to seven young athletes who present Britain's hopes for the next Olympics. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

The Olympic Cauldron ablaze inside the stadium. Pool/Getty Images

UAE flag bearer Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade Mike Blake / Reuters