Pictures: Rainbow flag flies above Whitehall for first same-sex weddings

The rainbow flag is being flown over Whitehall until Monday, in celebration of the first same-sex marriages which will take place from tomorrow.

Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Cabinet Minister Francis Maude ordered the rainbow flag to be flown at the top of the Cabinet Office and the Scotland Office from Friday afternoon until Monday morning.

Mr Clegg said: “Raising the rainbow flag on Whitehall is a small symbol to celebrate a massive achievement. I want to wish everyone getting married this weekend the very best of luck, on what is a truly momentous occasion.”

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Communities Minister Baroness Stowell raised the rainbow flag outside the Department for Communities and Local Government in Westminster to mark Saturday’s historic arrival of equal marriage in England and Wales.