The army has lit up its Sandhurst military academy with the colours of the rainbow to celebrate the Pride 2016 as thousands of LGBT took to the streets.

Gay recruits have only been able to serve openly in the Armed forced since 2000.

The Army’s diversity and inclusivity champion, Lieutenant General Sir James Everard, said: "The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is perhaps our greatest icon of strong leadership.

"This week we have floodlit Old College in the LGBT rainbow colours to show how closely we see the links between the Army, the LGBT community and the Nation we serve."

London Live at Pride

And Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt said: "The participation of so many of our personnel this weekend demonstrates the diversity we encourage in the Armed Forces and the support that we provide to all of our staff."

The rainbow flag was also flying at the Westminster parliament in order to mark the event, which has seen thousands take to the streets in London and Brighton to raise awareness about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

A parade through London’s West End started in Regent Street and walked past Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross stations to songs including the YMCA by the Village People, It's Raining Men and tunes from a brass band.

A heightened police presence was visible at the march, which is now in its 43rd year.

In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants on motor cycles during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central, London. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Daphne, a miniture schnouzer, wears a rainbow tie at a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Jennifer Saunders (right) and Joanna Lumley (left) pose in character along with performers in front of the Absolutely Fabulous/Stolli (vodka) Pride in London float PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London 'Pet Play' enthusiasts dress and behave as dogs during a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London A policeman kisses his fiance after proposing to him during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central London. PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Matthew Barzun (left) and Major of London Sadiq Khan attending the Pride in London parade PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images

A minute's silence was held to mark those killed during the mass shooting at gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando on 12 June.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who attended the march, said it was "more important than ever" to be accepting of LGBT people.

Two male police officers took the opportunity to propose to their partners, which was then shared by the Metropolitan Police's LGBT Network on Twitter.

During the parade Jeremy Corbyn was heckled by protesters about the result of the EU referendum.

“Resign, it’s your fault. I had a Polish friend in tears because you couldn’t get out the vote in Wales, the North and the Midlands," one protester told him.

“Stop using the gay movement as a shield to protect your weak leadership.”

Justine Greening, International Development Secretary also announced that she was in a lesbian relationship.