London in 2022: From the Women’s Euros to the Elizabeth Line - the top moments in the capital in the last year

London opened up once again this year as many Covid restrictions were lifted for good in the spring.

Crowds spilled back into the streets, music festivals returned and the city’s pubs, bars and restaurants were bustling once again.

However, it was sporting occasions which took centre stage in 2022 as crowds were let back in to see some British success stories triumph.

Here are some of the biggest moments the capital had over the last twelve months.

Last October London Marathon

The 2023 London Marathon will be back in its usual spring timeslot, after the 2022 race was once again held in autumn to avoid the potential for Covid restrictions.

More than 40,000 competitors took part in the 42nd event of the famous race, with Amos Kipruto winning the elite men’s race with a time of 2:04:39, and Yalemzerf Yehualaw winning the elite version of the women’s race in 2:17.26.

In the wheelchair events, new course records were set in both the men’s and women’s races with Marcel Hug completing in 1:24.38 and Catherine Debrunner finishing in 1:38.24.

England win Women’s European Championship

England won their first European Championship after Chloe Kelly’s extra-time goal was enough to see off Germany and lift that iconic trophy.

Sarina Wiegman’s team ended England’s wait for glory at the national level in football, and provided a great moment for the entire city with the final being held in Wembley.

Unlike the Men’s Euros final of a year previously, the event went by without a hitch and showed its possible to celebrate such victories in a respectful manner.

TfL Elizabeth Line opens

After four years of delays, the Elizabeth Line finally opened in May of this year to much fanfare among Londoners (and especially those who lived near to the new TfL service).

Costing some £20bn to complete the Crossrail line, eager commuters queued up to be the first ones to board the 6.30am train between Abbey Wood and Paddington.

Some debate ensued about the inclusion of ‘line’ in the name – all the others are just labeled as Victoria, Central etc – and whether it should be classed as a Tube or Overground service.

London says goodbye to the Queen

While the passing of the late Queen was undoubtedly a sad moment for many Londoners and those around the rest of the country, the city came together to say goodbye to the monarch en masse.

The queue that stretched miles around central London to pass by the Queen’s coffin as it lay in state will last long in the memory of those who participated.

With world leaders descending on the city in their hundreds over the course of one weekend, it showed just how important the British Royal Family remains in the mind’s of political leaders worldwide.

Crowds return to Wimbledon

SW19 was once again packed to the rafters as crowds returned to full capacity for the first time since before the pandemic.

Having operated at a 50% capacity in 2021, the famous Wimbledon queue returned this year for an unforgettable two weeks at the Championship.

The only one who was perhaps unhappy with the return of spectators was Australia’s Nick Kyrgios who took umbrage with the behaviour of one particular fan and had her omitted, an act for which he has since apologised.