Downing Street's 'divorce': UK finally set to leave EU

After more than three years of political wrangling, the departure of two prime ministers, and dozens of furious protests across the United Kingdom, Brexit is finally happening.

At 23:00 GMT on Friday, January 31, the UK will officially end its 47-year membership of the European Union - becoming the first country ever to leave the bloc, and enter a transition period scheduled to end on December 31, 2020.

Friday's breaking of the ranks does not signal the end of Brexit, but the start of a new, potentially tumultuous chapter in the saga, leaving the UK just 11 months to negotiate a deal to be agreed by all 27 remaining EU states.

This week saw the final debate over the UK's departure from the EU take place in Brussels.

After Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) backed the terms of the Brexit agreement, they broke out into song. The Green Party's Molly Scott Cato cried as she spoke of her hopes to one day return to the chamber, while the Brexit Party's Nigel Farage and his colleagues were admonished for waving Union flags.

WATCH | A dis-United Kingdom enters the Brexit unknown

For about half of the UK population - 52% voted to quit the bloc in the June, 2016 referendum, Brexit day is being greeted with long-awaited celebrations.

Street parties are set to take place across the nation.