This year saw political turmoil - not only in the UK but further afield. One of the most significant moments of 2022 was the start of the Ukraine war, a crisis which has seen the deaths of tens of thousands since Russia invaded the sovereign nation on 24 February.
The UK is now on to its third Prime Minister of the year after the departure of Boris Johnson and the even sharper exit of Liz Truss, with Rishi Sunak taking over.
In September, the death of Queen Elizabeth II marked the end of an era for the UK, with her son and heir acceding to the throne as King Charles III. The late monarch’s reign had lasted 70 years, and just months before her death she had marked her Platinum Jubilee.
Here are 15 moments in pictures that shaped 2022.
In September, the death of Queen Elizabeth II marked the end of an era for the UK, with her son and heir acceding to the throne as King Charles III. The late monarch’s reign had lasted 70 years, and just months before her death she had marked her Platinum Jubilee.
5. Boris Johnson resigns
Boris Johnson had spent the first few months of 2022 batting away calls for his resignation. However, despite winning praise for his stance on the Ukraine war, his premiership came crashing down in July. He had seen off a no confidence vote in June. However, the mass resignation of his cabinet, started by Sajid Javid and now Prime Minster Rishi Sunak came after Chris Pincher quit as deputy chief whip following claims he groped two men at the upmarket Carlton Club. It emerged Mr Johnson knew about allegations against him as far back as 2019. On 7 July Johnson announced his intention to stand down, less than three years after he took office.
6. Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade
The US Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion that were in place for nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v Wade. The decision, which has been met with protests, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former president Donald Trump. In overturning Roe on 24 June, the US Supreme Court said states can regulate abortion as they wish. Immediately after the ruling abortion clinics in at least eight US states stopped performing abortions and others began to close. Thirteen states now have bans in place for most abortions, while legal battles over access is taking place in other states. President Joe Biden signed an executive order to protect access to abortion - but it was limited in its abilities.
7. Record temperatures in the UK
July saw temperatures climb above 40C for the first time, with major fire incidents declared in London, Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire. London Fire Brigade (LFB) had its busiest day since the Second World War, as the Met Office warned Brits to stay indoors after its first red warning for extreme heat. Following the driest July since 1935 across England, 11 of the 14 Environment Agency areas in the country were placed into drought status during August. Six water companies – Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, South West Water and Welsh Water – implemented or announced hosepipe bans, as part of efforts to tackle the drought.
8. The death of Queen Elizabeth II
The death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September after 70 years on the throne plunged the country into mourning. She died at the age of 96 years old at Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The day before her death the Queen had formally appointed new Prime Minister Liz Truss. She did this at Balmoral - and it was to be her final duty. The Queen’s coffin was delivered by hearse from Balmoral to Edinburgh, before it was transported to London for the official lying in state in Westminster Hall. On 19 September, the Queen’s state funeral took place. The queue of mourners waiting to see her lying in state was so large it could be seen from Space.