The lighting event was scheduled to be streamed live on The Shard’s website and Facebook networking site, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra providing a musical soundtrack for the occasion, playing renditions of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and the Finale from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite to accompany the blinding display.
Prince Andrew was among the first people to step into the 72nd-floor, 360 degree viewing gallery at the official inauguration along with the Prime Minister of Qatar His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, whose country has financed the building.