In pictures: The UK in 2005
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Election year: Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie celebrate a Labour victory in the general election, clinching an historic third term, although he stated he would not be standing again. -
The Conservative Party, having suffered a third consecutive defeat, set about electing a new leader. The victor David Cameron, an MP for only four years, said the Tories must change to be in tune with today's Britain with a "modern compassionate Conservatism". -
Following last year's legislation a ban on hunting came into force in February. Animal rights campaigners celebrated, while many working in the industry feared for their jobs. But by the end of the year most of the English hunts were reporting business as usual. -
The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles finally became husband and wife - more than 30 years after their romance first began. More than 20,000 people cheered as they arrived at Windsor's Guildhall for their small private civil wedding. -
In Iraq British troops continued to aid the reconstruction of the area around Basra. During one operation to free two British soldiers a petrol bomb was thrown down the gun turret of a Warrior armoured vehicle. Sergeant Long escaped as fast as he could. -
Four suicide bombers struck in central London on Thursday 7 July, killing 52 people and injuring 700. The co-ordinated attacks hit the transport system as the morning rush hour drew to a close. -
The final explosion was on a double-decker bus in Tavistock Square, not far from King's Cross. Two weeks later on 21 July four attempted bombings took place. None of the devices exploded. Police recovered a wealth of forensic material and arrests followed. -
Celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar ended with a spectacular fireworks display on the Solent at Portsmouth. Some 10,000 fireworks were fired from 35 pontoons and six barges, illuminating the whole fleet anchored on the Solent. -
Following the Live 8 concert in London, World leaders at the G8 meeting in Scotland promised aid and debt relief for the poorest African nations. Some campaigners were unhappy but Bob Geldof called it "a great day". -
The sporting calendar was dominated by England's first Ashes win since 1987, with Freddie Flintoff becoming a household name overnight. -
Black smoke billowed from a fire at one of the UK's biggest oil depots in Buncefield, near Hemel Hempstead. The depot fire was said to be the largest in Europe's peacetime history and took a number of days to extinguish. -
One of BelfastÂ’s most famous children, George Best, returned home to his final resting place. Best died, aged 59, after suffering multiple organ failure. Tens of thousands of mourners applauded along the route to Parliament Buildings where the service was held.