The gloomy weather could not dampen Republican spirits or the grandeur and pomp of the ceremony to inaugurate the new president.

George W Bush finally takes an oath of office that he rehearsed many times during a long campaign

Mr Bush shakes hands with the man he defeated, Al Gore, as the man he replaced, Bill Clinton, applauds

Cameras, as well as spectators, had to be protected from the appalling January weather

Earlier Mr Bush's daughters, Barbara and Jenna, attended prayers with their parents at St John's Church in Washington

Bedecked with flags, the west facade of the Capitol - the traditional site of inaugurations - was thronging with spectators

Senator Edward Kennedy was among the congressmen, ambassadors and former presidents at the ceremony

The new secretary of state, Colin Powell, snaps one for the family photo album

But not everyone was content - demonstrators yelled "Hail to the thief" referring to Bush's disputed victory in Florida