European leaders have gathered in Liege in Belgium to mark 100 years since World War One began.

Among the 50 heads of state that gathered for the centenary service were German President Joachim Gauck and French president Francois Hollande. In a spirit of reconciliation, Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcomed Gauck for the late-morning Allied memorial amid pomp and ceremony.

Germany invaded neutral Belgium on the 4th of August, 1914 as part of a planned attack on France. By nightfall, Britain had joined the war. Further remembrance events are planned in Belgium and Britain throughout the day.