GLORIA HUNNIFORD and Imelda Staunton led the celebrations at London’s St Patrick’s celebrations today.
The two were chosen as Grand Marshals to lead the parade, the highlight of the London St Patrick's Festival, which this year celebrated the success and contribution of Irish women.
Co. Armagh-born presenter Hunniford and Staunton, whose parents hail from Co. Mayo, were joined by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Scroll down for pictures from the Festivities
The Mayor praised the contribution the Irish had made to the city over successive generations, from the people who rebuilt the city after the war to NHS staff and the latest wave of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
He said: "One of the reasons London is the greatest city in the world is because of the contribution of Irish communities."
The parade took in some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including The Ritz, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.
Meanwhile revellers in Trafalgar Square enjoyed performances from the likes of Irish poet Stephen James Smith and singer-songwriter Orla Gartland.
The performances will culminate at 6pm with a tribute to late Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan, with the festivities set to last long into the night.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan addresses the crowds at Trafalgar Square (Image: Malcolm McNally)
Irish Post editor Siobhán Breatnach with Imelda Staunton and Jacqueline O'Donovan, Chair of the St Patrick's Festival Ball and managing director of O'Donovan Waste (Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
Grand Marshals Gloria Hunniford and Imelda Staunton (Image: Malcolm McNally)
MC for the day, RTÉ 2FM's Eoghan McDermott (Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
Danny Sullivan (Image: Malcolm McNally)
Fast food… (Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)
Even this dog got into the spirit of the occasion (Image: Malcolm McNally)
(Image: Malcolm McNally)