A huge four-day celebration marking 200 years since the British defeated Napoleon has concluded with a costumed re-enactment of the day the news arrived in the capital.
Actors playing Major Henry Percy and Cmdr James White, who carried the message of victory to the Prince Regent on June 21, 1815, retraced the two men's steps from Greenwich to St James's Square, where they met the Princess Royal.
Earlier today the pair set off from the steps of the Royal Naval College and rode through the capital in a horse-drawn carriage, crossing Tower Bridge for ceremonies at the Tower of London before continuing with an escort to the East India Club in the historic square.
They had followed the original route of the dispatch all the way from the battlefield.
Replicas of golden eagles taken from the French army travelled with them, while a copy of the dispatch proclaiming the British victory at Waterloo was wrapped in a purple pouch.
The replica eagles were laid before Princess Anne by Julian Farrance, who played Major Percy.
"It has been an astonishing privilege for us to be able to do this," he told the Press Association, "to be able to ride the post chaise [carriage] through the middle of town, but also to have started out at Waterloo and followed this journey through and come splashing ashore - the whole experience has been simply astonishing.
"To be able to be part of this, and wheel your carriage onto Horse Guards Parade, is like nothing I would ever really have expected."
Speaking about the moment the news was finally delivered in 1815, he added: "The country was in a fever of anticipation."
It is said Major Percy arrived at the East India Club covered in blood, having cradled a dying comrade.
Seeing it, the Prince Regent assumed the worst and burst into tears, thinking Britain had lost. When news of victory was finally relayed to the guests they rushed into the street to celebrate.
Additional reporting by Press Association
