In pictures: The inauguration ceremony of US president Joe Biden, who took charge of the office on Wednesday
Democratic candidate Joe Biden has sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America. He took charge in the Oval Office at the White House. He swore in presidential appointees during a virtual ceremony in the Oval Office on Wednesday by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Biden waved at supporters who gathered outside the White House in support of him. Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden arrived hand-in-hand at the White House. The couple took a moment before entering the White House, after their successful victory in the elections.
On the night of the inauguration, the National Mall in Washington was covered in flags, representing the people who were not able to attend the event this year due to COVID-19 safety restrictions.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff walked with their family down Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.
After his swearing-in, President Biden gave his inaugural speech, saying: "We learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile and at this moment, my friends, democracy has prevailed." During his speech, Biden held a silent moment of prayer for those who have died in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inside the Capitol, President Biden signed the Inauguration Day proclamation and nominations for his cabinet and sub-cabinet and also signed 15 executive orders aimed at taking speed to handle the coronavirus crisis.
The President and Vice President also went on to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
At the inauguration ceremony, Lady Gaga also took to the stage to sing the US national anthem. Singer Jennifer Lopez was also seen here sharing a moment with Harris as she performed at the inauguration. Lopez sang a medley of This Land is Your Land and America the Beautiful - addressing the crowd in Spanish part-way through her performance.
Former presidents of US including Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush and Laura Bush were among the guests at the inauguration
The outgoing President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump departed the White House before the inauguration. In the history of 150 years of America, this was the first time that the outgoing president has boycotted his successor's inauguration.