Britain prepared yesterday for a four-day extravaganza marking Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee - even if many minds were focused on the start of England's World Cup adventure.
With everyone preparing for football, partying and royalty over an extended holiday weekend, the only clouds on the horizon were a forecast for unsettled weather and the unspoken fear of not getting the right result against Sweden.
Across London, British flags and the red-on-white cross of St George, England's patron saint, flew beside each other in pubs, from cars and out of windows.
Mr Simon Wicks, a teacher, said his Union Jack tie was both for the football and the jubilee.
"I put it on because we are doing a jubilee party with my pupils," he said. "But I'm a bit more for the World Cup."
The jubilee celebrations kick off today with a classical music concert in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, a line-up headed by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Tomorrow is billed as a "day of reflection", enabling England fans to watch their team's opening World Cup match against Sweden.
The kick-off time of 10:30 a.m. in Britain clashes with normal religious services but Dr George Carey, who as Archbishop of Canterbury is head of the Anglican Church worldwide, has given his official blessing if priests want to move the time of their services.
Two fans who will miss out are princes William and Harry, the teenage sons of heir to the throne Prince Charles. They will be attending a service of thanksgiving for the queen's reign in Swansea, southern Wales, beginning just as the first half in Saitama, near Tokyo, ends.
Queen Elizabeth has already passed on her good wishes to the England team in Japan, Buckingham Palace said.
The main festivities begin on Monday with garden and street parties countrywide, followed by a three-hour pop concert at the palace. Stars lined up include Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Phil Collins and Cliff Richard.
Tuesday will see the highlight of the festivities with a ceremonial royal procession to a thanksgiving service in St Paul's Cathedral, central London, followed by an afternoon of music, song, parades and pageants.