Year in pictures: London in 2021

During a year like no other, Londoners have borne witness to triumphs and tragedies.

The past 12 months have seen protests, a mayoral election, and a series of new creations - some more welcome than others.

Major sporting events also returned to the city with crowds hungry for action after long periods spent in lockdown.

The year of 2021 also offered ample opportunity to marvel at the natural world - and a return to glory for one of London's most recognisable landmarks.

Here is a selection of some of the most striking images taken during the past year around the capital.

News imageWIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/PA Media HS2 protesters at EustonWIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/PA Media
Stop HS2 activists camped in Euston Square throughout January before being removed by police and taken to court
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News imageDan Kitwood/Getty Images Flowers at Clapham Common bandstandDan Kitwood/Getty Images
Flowers adorn Clapham Common bandstand in tribute to Sarah Everard who was murdered by a Met Police officer in March
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News imageAaron Chown/PA Media Pigeons flying over people on Finsbury Park boating lake in LondonAaron Chown/PA Media
Pigeons soar over Finsbury Park boating lake in April, a week after some coronavirus restrictions were lifted
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News imageTolga Akmen/AFP A woman draws on the National Covid Memorial WallTolga Akmen/AFP
The National Covid Memorial Wall on the banks of the Thames features tens of thousands of hearts paying tribute to those who have lost their lives during the pandemic
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News imageJustin Tallis/Getty Images The full moon of April, called the Super Pink Moon, rises over the skyline of LondonJustin Tallis/Getty Images
The Super Pink Moon (April's full moon) makes an appearance above London's skyline
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News imageVictoria Jones/PA Media Sadiq Khan is hugged by his daughter after being re-elected Mayor of London in MayVictoria Jones/PA Media
Sadiq Khan is hugged by his daughter after being re-elected as mayor of London in May
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News imageSOPA Images/Getty Images Sky Pool, described as the world's first floating pool, opened in Nine ElmSOPA Images/Getty Images
Nine Elms' Sky Pool, described as the world's first floating pool, provided welcome relief from a heatwave when it opened in June
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News imageDominic Lipinski/PA Media Marble Arch moundDominic Lipinski/PA Media
The Marble Arch Mound cost £6m, opened incomplete and was pilloried before the entrance fee was reduced and the official responsible for the project resigned
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News imageDominic Lipinski/Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex unveil a statue of their mother, Princess Diana at The Sunken Garden in Kensington PalaceDominic Lipinski/Getty Images
Princes William and Harry unveil a statue of their mother Princess Diana at the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace in July on what would have been her 60th birthday
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News imageSOPA Images/ PA Media Scotland fans in Leicester SquareSOPA Images/ PA Media
Scotland fans ignored warnings not to visit London ahead of the Euro 2020 match with England at Wembley...
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News imageSimon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images Fans gather ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy at WembleySimon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images
... a tournament in which despite only drawing with Scotland, England reached the final. Fans flocked to Wembley Way ahead of the defeat on penalties to Italy - sadly, the occasion was marred by lawless England supporters
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News imageMike Hewitt/Getty Images Spectators watch play between Australia's Ashleigh Barty and Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova during the women's singles finalMike Hewitt/Getty Images
Wimbledon returned after last year's Covid-enforced break, with July's women's singles final hosting the first capacity crowd at an outdoor event as restrictions continued loosening
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News imageVuk Valcic/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/PA Media Battersea Power station tubeVuk Valcic/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/PA Media
Alongside Nine Elms, Battersea Power Station became the first new Northern Line Tube station since 1926
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News imageJonathan Brady/PA Media London Marathon runners at Tower BridgeJonathan Brady/PA Media
Runners cross Tower Bridge as the London Marathon returned for the first time since 2019
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News imageTolga Akmen/Getty Images Scaffolding is removed from Big BenTolga Akmen/Getty Images
Scaffolding is removed from the Elizabeth Tower housing Big Ben in December, four years after restoration work began
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All photographs are subject to copyright


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