Tonight’s London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony was another spectacular show in London.
Via Cherry Healy Twitter
Among the evening’s themes, inclusion, the song “Under my Umbrella” was perfect to start the show.
London 2012 Website
The staging, lighting and choreography were stunning.
Paralympic Sport TV YouTube
Her Majesty was accompanied by the UK’s Sir Phillip Craven, he is the President of the International Paralympic Committee, on the right you see Prince Edward.
London 2012 Website
Below, William and Kate.
London 2012 Website
Other in attendance included (left to right) Samantha Cameron, Prince William, Kate, Princess Anne and London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Paralympic Sport TV
From left to right, Sir Philip, the Queen, Prince Edward, Sophie, Sebastian Coe, Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha Cameron.
Huffington Post Twitter
As always, the Parade of Nations was a delight to watch, below, Ireland.
London 2012 Website
Here we see Team USA.
Paralympic Sport TV
Iraq is shown entering the stadium, the flag is carried by power lifter Faris Al-Ajeeli.
London 2012 Website
China’s team as they come into the stadium.
London 2012
The roar heard when Team GB entered was overwhelming, tennis player Peter Norfolk carried the flag.
London 2012 Website
The Duchess maintained her focus on wearing very low key pieces seen during the Olympic games, bringing back an item worn previously, a coat first seen at the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles to Harry Lopes at St. Cyriac’s in Wiltshire.
2006 Splash News
It was made by Danish Label DAY Birger et Mikkelsen, Kate repeated the piece in 2010 for the wedding of Mel Nicholson and Oli Baker at St. Andrews, and then again for the wedding of Zara Phillips in July of last year (seen below).
2011 Splash News
In an eBay auction the coat was described this way:
“brocade fabric with a subtle gold paisley trimmed with champagne colour net. Â It is long sleeved with a single breasted, off-centre, three button fastening. Â It also has two flap pockets.
The lining is a soft grey colour and would be the perfect occasion coat for any wedding.  Worn with a skirt or trousers it would make the perfect cocktail coat.â€
eBay Auction
Selfridges
Wilbur & Gussie
Activities have been underway for days, below we see the Team USA Basketball team.
USA in UK Twitter
The schedule for William, Kate and Harry’s appearance at the Paralympics follows, prefaced by Clarence House’s caveat:
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are provisionally scheduled to attend during the Paralympic Games. Their Royal Highnesses will attend in their capacity as Official Ambassadors for Paralympics GB. All engagements are provisional and subject to change at this stage. Attendance will be confirmed nearer the time of each scheduled event.
Thursday 30th August
- William and Kate will attend Goalball (at the Olympic Park).
- William and Kate will attend the track cycling (at the Olympic Park).
- Kate will attend the swimming (at the Olympic Park).
Sunday 2nd September
- Â The Duchess of Cambridge will attend the Athletics (at the Olympic Stadium).
Monday 3rd September
- Prince Harry will attend the swimming (at the Olympic Park).
- Prince Harry will visit Paralympics GB House.
Linkage:
- The official Paralympics website is here, the official Paralympics Facebook page is here, follow them on Twitter here
- The Team GB Paralympics website is here, its Facebook page here, and Twitter page hereÂ
- The Daily Mail’s story is here
