The Shard, Europe's tallest building, officially opened with laser show in London (11Pics)

Twelve lasers and 30 searchlights lit up the night sky, to celebrate the external completion of The Shard - the tallest building in Europe. Green lasers and streams of light stretched out from the 95 story building - which is 1,016ft high - on London's Southbank.

The lasers reached across to landmarks including the London Eye, the Gherkin and Tower Bridge

The show, observed by the Duke of York and the Qatari prime minister, was the finale to The Shard's inauguration celebration. The display was set to two pieces of classical music, performed live by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The building is owned by LBQ Limited, comprising the State of Qatar (the majority shareholder) and Sellar Property Group, with non-equity funding by Qatar National Bank

The building is made up of 11,000 glass panels

The finished building provides 31.4 acres of space, there are 44 lifts and eight escalators to transport people to the 72 occupiable floors

The Shard is illuminated against the night sky