With royalty and rock, Britain opens its Olympics

LONDON — Britain opened its Olympics with a royal entrance like no other.

London greeted the world in a celebration of Old England that was stunning, imaginative, whimsical and dramatic — and cheeky, even featuring a stand-in for Queen Elizabeth II parachuting with James Bond into Olympic Stadium.

Moments later, the 86-year-old monarch herself stood solemnly while a children's choir serenaded her with "God Save the Queen," and members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force raised the Union Jack.

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Performers play drums during the Opening Ceremony at...

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