UK officially leaves the EU

After 47 years of membership and more than three years after it voted to do so in a referendum, the UK has officially left the European Union.

The historic moment happened at 11 pm and was marked by both celebrations and anti-Brexit protests.

Candlelit vigils were held in Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU, while Brexiteers celebrated in the streets surrounding London's Parliament Square.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to bring his country together and "take us forward".

In a message released on social media an hour before the UK's departure, the Prime Minister said: "For many people, this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come.

"And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.

"And then, of course, there is a third group - perhaps the biggest - who had started to worry that the whole political wrangle would never come to an end.

"I understand all those feelings and our job as the government - my job - is to bring this country together now and take us forward."

*Source: BBC News