Cambridge University students enjoyed a fireworks display and a night of partying at the annual Trinity May Ball to celebrate the end of their exams.
The first Trinity May Ball was held in 1866 and the tradition quickly spread to other colleges.
Despite now taking place in June they are still called the May Balls, as that is when they were originally held.
Guests at the Trinity May Ball, who paid at least £210 for a single ticket, were promised “unlimited food and drink, a stunning fireworks display and a myriad of entertainments”.
The event is described on its website as “one of the most sought after tickets to be had in May Week” and “an unrivalled showcase of revelry”.
Entertainment ranges “from chart-topping stars to world-class comedians to the finest classical and jazz musicians” in an “unparalleled setting”.
Students, dressed in elegant ball gowns and black tie, made their way home through the city’s streets as the sun rose on Tuesday.
In years gone by, some of Britain’s brightest students have engaged in hedonistic behaviour, stripping off and jumping in the river.
The ball has been held every year since 1866, apart from 1910, when King Edward VII died, during the Second World War between 1939 and 1945, and in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A series of balls are held to mark the end of term, with various colleges hosting them.
The “only acceptable attire” for the Trinity May Ball “is traditional black tie, white tie or formal national dress”.
Instructions on what to wear include that “any sword worn as a part of national dress must be fixed in its sheath”.
Organisers said that the dress code “will be strictly enforced; those who are not properly attired will not be allowed entry into the ball”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here