Inauguration Day: Joe Biden is sworn in as 46th US president - as it happened

US President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential inauguration in Washington. Reuters

President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House. Reuters

President Joe Biden swears in presidential appointees in a virtual ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House. Reuters

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House. AP Photo

President Joe Biden and his wife Jill embrace as they arrive to the White House. Reuters

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk up the stairs as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House. AP Photo

President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and family, walk in front of the White House. AP Photo

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. AP Photo

Former President Bill Clinton with his wife, former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush with his wife Laura Bush, and former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama at the Arlington National Cemetery. Reuters

US President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff look on as they leave the US Capitol after the inauguration ceremony. Reuters

US President Joe Biden signs documents in the President's Room at the US Capitol following the inauguration ceremony. Bloomberg

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, wave from the Capitol steps as former Vice President Mike Pence's motorcade departs. AP Photo

US President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential inauguration in Washington. Reuters

US President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington. Bloomberg

Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States as his spouse Jill Biden holds a bible on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, DC. Reuters

Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AP

Social distancing audience during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Reuters

Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem at the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. AFP

Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem as US Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris look on. Reuters

From left: Doug Emhoff, US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, incoming US First Lady Jill Biden, US President-elect Joe Biden arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US President at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP

Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden. AP Photo

Former US President Bill Clinton arrives with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the US Capitol. AFP

Former US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the US Capitol. Reuters

Family members of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the US Capitol. AFP

The view from the podium where Joe Biden will speak after being sworn-in during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. EPA

Flags decorate the "Field of Flags" at the National Mall near the Washington Monument ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. AFP

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden attend a church service before his presidential inauguration at St Matthews Catholic Church in Washington. Reuters

President-elect Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff attend a church service before his presidential inauguration at St. Matthews Catholic Church. Reuters

The West Front of the US Capitol is prepared for the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, DC. AFP

US singer Lady Gaga arrives for the inauguration of Joe Biden as US President in Washington, DC. EPA

Supporters hold American flags as Air Force One, carrying US President Donald Trump, departs during a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Bloomberg

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave to a crowd as they board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base. AP Photo

President Donald Trump speaks to crowd before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base. AP Photo

The sun rises behind the US Capitol as preparations are made prior to the 59th inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington. AFP

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were officially sworn in as US president and vice president during a historic inauguration in a highly fortified Washington.

The ceremony came only two weeks after a violent insurrection at the US Capitol by pro-Trump rioters.

Ms Harris became the first woman vice president of the US.

In his first hours as president in the Oval Office, Mr Biden signed more than a dozen executive orders on issues including immigration, Covid-19, the environment and the economy.

Former president Donald Trump skipped the inauguration of Mr Biden, a first in modern history. Here's how the day unfolded: