How Britons are saying goodbye to the EU on Brexit Day

Brexit day is finally upon us and the nation appears in a rare state of agreement that January 31st 2020 needs to be marked.

Remainers and Leavers will be hosting events across the UK as we embark on a new future separate from the EU.

The bells of Big Ben will not chime at 11pm to herald in our new status and the transition period means little will change overnight.

But there will be a series of processions, candlelit vigils, parties and speeches marking the end of our 47-year union with Europe.

Brexit Party MEPs, including Ann Widdecombe, left the European Parliament in Brussels earlier today led by a bagpiper.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said a fond farewell in the European Parliament just before midday and welcomed a ‘new dawn for Europe.’

Ahead of fresh negotiations between the UK and the EU she said:’We want to have the best possible relationship with the United Kingdom, but it will never be as good as membership.’

At 7.30pm, a ceremony will see Union flags taken down inside the European Council.

After 11pm our time, the UK flag that hangs outside the European Parliament alongside those of other EU member states will be removed.

It will go to the House of European History museum.

About three million 50p coins, minted to mark Brexit, will also start showing up today.

The inscription reads ‘Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’ but many people have vowed to donate them to charity.

Boris Johnson is holding a Cabinet meeting in Sunderland, the first city to declare support for leaving the EU in the referendum.

At 10pm, one hour before we leave, an address by the PM will be broadcast, calling for the country to come together and move forward.

Supporters of the EU are expected to take part in a procession through Whitehall at 3pm.

There will also be candlelit vigils in many cities across the UK to celebrate the achievements of the EU.

Scotland voted to Remain and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said earlier today the nation was ‘being taken out of the EU against its will.’

There will be ‘leave a light on events’ at cities across Scotland as the SNP pushes for a second independence referendum with a view to one day rejoining the bloc.

Brexit Day is expected to be greeted with both protests and some celebrations on the island of Ireland.

Anti-Brexit campaigners will hold a demonstration at Stormont on Friday afternoon, before Brexit-backers later hold a celebration party at the gates of the seat of Northern Ireland’s devolved government from 10.30pm for a countdown to 11pm.

As 11pm draws closer, there will be protests at six points along the Irish border by the organisation Border Communities Against Brexit, from Carrickarnon just south of Newry to Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, Aghalane and Blacklion in Co Fermanagh, the Strabane/Lifford border, and Bridgend in Co Londonderry.

The hour of the UK’s departure will be marked with a celebration event at Stormont at which Union flags are expected to be waved and toasts made.

Parliament Square will be the focus of the Brexiteers celebrations and Union flags will line the streets while participants have been invited to wave flags and sing patriotic songs.

The UK’s final hour in the EU will be marked with a light display in Downing Street, including a clock counting down to 11pm projected on to the black bricks of the famous building.

Ministries around Whitehall will be lit up in red, white and blue.

The Government revealed plans for the light show after Mr Johnson failed in his bid to get Big Ben to bong at 11pm, the moment the UK leaves the EU – which will be midnight in Brussels.

The Prime Minister is understood to be hosting his own private party in Downing Street.

The Queen is at Sandringham and will not be doing anything official to mark the historic day.