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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Sami Quadri and Josh Salisbury

London Pride: Huge crowds turn out for parade

More than a million people descended on the streets of London on Saturday for the 51st annual Pride parade.

The capital was awash with rainbows and glitter as huge numbers of people turned out for the biggest celebration of the LGBT+ community in Britain.

The annual parade began at midday on Saturday from Hyde Park Corner, and passed through Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square before finishing at Whitehall.

This year’s Pride parade marks 51 years since the capital saw its first march for gay rights.

As well as being a colourful party extravaganza, with five stages hosting performers including Adam Lambert and Idina Menzel, Pride has historically been a protest as well as a celebration.

(Getty Images)

Revellers were seen dancing or waving rainbow flags on the streets of London as the parade kicked off on Saturday afternoon.

There were colourful scenes across the city as huge crowds joined the brightly-coloured procession of floats, performers and dancers.

Pop hitmaker Rita Ora performed in Trafalgar Square to help mark the momentous occasion, joining Queen star Adam Lambert.

Lambert headlined the event, and created its official track You Make Me Feel Mighty Real. Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall also performed.

Sending a message to all those who took part, Pride in London said: “Thank you for your support and ensuring no-one marched alone.

“We hope you had an amazing day full of love and pride. Please stay safe this evening and take care of each other.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry join participants for the Pride In London (Getty Images)

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Here in London you are free to be who you want to be and to love who you want to love.”

Activists from Just Stop Oil temporarily disrupted the parade by sitting in front of the Coca-Cola float, with seven arrested.

While the float was blocked, two other activists sprayed pink and black paint over the road.

A Met Police spokesperson said seven people were arrested for “public nuisance” shortly after the road was blocked at 1.30pm.

The road was cleared after around fifteen minutes and the parade continued shortly after.

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