In pictures: National Day ceremony at Zayed Sport City

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, waves to the crowd at the start of the official ceremony for the 40th National Day at Zayed Sport City in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, attend the celebrations. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

The stands had begun filling in by 3 pm in the afternoon, directed by an army of volunteers. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

The UAE Army march past at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova/The National

Members of the Armed Forces march past. Silvia Razgova/The National

The crowd fell silent as historic footage from the day the union was formed was projected on the screen. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Preparations for the show had begun even before Ramadan. Silvia Razgova/The National

The breathtaking spectacle employed pyrotechnics, puppets, elaborate costumes and hundreds of dancers who told the story of the UAE over the last 40 years in just under three hours. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Dancers and acrobats perform at the National Day show in Zayed Sports City. Silvia Razgova/The National

40,000 spectators were present at the elaborate show. Silvia Razgova/The National

Young women do a traditional performance at the Zayed Sport City show. Silvia Razgova/The National

Life-sized camel puppets enthrall the audience at the show. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Revellers enjoy the performance. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces joins the dancers for a traditional sword dance. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Children perform at the show. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi