The RAF’s Red Arrows have taken part in stateside celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of America’s independence from Britain, which also drew royal congratulations.
The world-famous aerobatic team flew in precise formation above New York harbour – leaving behind them red, white and blue vapour trails in the shape of the US flag.
Other aircraft making flypasts included a B-2 stealth bomber and the US Navy’s Blue Angels.
The display made for a dramatic sight as a flotilla of tall ships from around the world sailed passed the Statue of Liberty below as part of an international naval review, showcasing modern warships from the US and its allies.
The Royal Navy’s Band of the Royal Marines was also in the Big Apple to perform, having entertained crowds in Washington DC earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, the King sent his “warmest congratulations” to US president Donald Trump and the country’s people on the occasion of what the monarch called “a truly historic milestone and a moment of great celebration for Americans everywhere”.
Attending the festivities in New York, US vice president JD Vance acknowledged the other nations joining in the birthday celebrations, in notably conciliatory remarks amid transatlantic tensions.
Speaking on the flightdeck of a naval assault ship in scorching heat, Mr Vance said: “We say from the bottom of our hearts, we are grateful for our friends, grateful for our allies on this special anniversary.”
Mr Vance added: “It is a very American thing to ring in 250 years of American history by parading our naval and air force might for the world to see.
“But I can’t help but consider that 250 years ago the waters of New York harbour looked very, very different.”
Recalling the battles to come against the British at the time, he said: “General (George) Washington was right here in Manhattan, peering out on this beautiful land and beautiful sea. His attention was fixed on the horizon, watching for sails of the most powerful navy on earth.”
Thousands of events were held across the US to celebrate the 250th independence anniversary, as a swathe of the country sweltered in extreme temperatures, sparking health warnings.
With July 4 forecast to be the hottest on record for millions of Americans in the eastern US, triggering heat alerts, officials have urged people to take safety precautions and stay hydrated.
Temperatures were set to hit 38C in New York and 40C in Washington, while Little Rock in Arkansas was expected to report a high of 42C.
In readiness, vans were deployed in New York City staffed by nurses and paramedics to hand out water and sunscreen, and cooling stations were also opened.
Event organisers in Washington also handed out water, with facilities provided for people to cool off as well as medical support.
A planned Independence Day parade in the capital was cancelled due to the heat, but a packed schedule of flyovers and aerial demonstrations went ahead, which included a show of stealth airpower, F-22 Raptors and the US Air Force’s Thunderbirds display squadron.
While fireworks are a staple of the nationwide celebrations, the president promised a pyrotechnic display in the capital, which would be the biggest in the nation’s history.
Mr Trump was also due to give another speech on Saturday evening at the National Mall, the park that stretches from Congress to the Lincoln Memorial, which has been the focus of events to mark the 250th anniversary.
On the West coast in Los Angeles, Queen Latifah was to host a concert featuring performances by The Smashing Pumpkins and Chris Stapleton, with Chaka Khan billed as a special guest. A drone show was also on the cards.
Although Independence Day has traditionally been a time to bring people together and remember a shared history, the anniversary festivities have not escaped the divisions facing the country, with Mr Trump accused of using the milestone to promote himself rather than fostering unity.
This was underlined with the creation last year of Freedom 250, an organisation aligned with the White House, which has come to rival America250, a bipartisan group founded by Congress a decade ago to plan activities.
The opening of the Great American State Fair, staged in Washington by Freedom 250, ended up being headlined by the president after a series of musical artists pulled out over concerns it had become too political and closely linked to Mr Trump.
On Friday, the president was in South Dakota at Mount Rushmore, which features the giant carved faces of four US presidents, where he made a speech warning over the threat of communism in the US, arguing it was more dangerous than either the Second World War or 9/11.
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