The UK week in pictures: Strikes, the South African President visits and World Cup fever

'The National' selects the most striking photos from across Britain

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  An Iran soccer fan celebrates a goal, during the World Cup Group B soccer match between England and Iran at a fan zone in London, Monday Nov. 21, 2022. (AP Photo / Alberto Pezzali)

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  Oil Heads, climate activists from the Ocean Rebellion group, demonstrate against the use of fossil fuels outside the offices of the International Maritime Organisation in London on Monday. AFP

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  Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited a chemistry class at Erasmus Darwin Academy in Burntwood on Monday. AFP

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  On Tuesday South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and Britain's King Charles III met in London during a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade. King Charles was hosting his first state visit as monarch. AFP

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  On Wednesday SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon issued a statement in Edinburgh after the decision by judges at the UK Supreme Court in London that the Scottish parliament does not have the power to hold a second independence referendum. PA

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  The Redcar blast furnace, which had dominated the Teesside skyline for more than four decades, was brought down by controlled explosion on Wednesday. PA

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  The first showing of The Beginning, a spectacular son-et-lumiere show by Luxmuralis, in the nave of Peterborough Cathedral on Wednesday evening. PA

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  On Thursday members of the Educational Institute of Scotland joined teachers at a rally outside the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh in a protest over pay. PA

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  Royal Mail workers were also on strike on Thursday, with Royal Mail vehicles parked idle at Tonbridge delivery office in Kent. PA

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  Finishing touches were added to a Christmas tree in the Crimson Drawing Room in Windsor Castle on Thursday. Reuters

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  Queen Consort Camilla attended a special teddy bears' picnic on Thursday, at a Barnardo's Nursery in London. During the visit Camilla personally delivered Paddington Bears and other cuddly toys left as tributes to Queen Elizabeth II to children supported by the charity. Getty Images

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  Black Friday got going on Friday morning with shoppers queuing outside shops on Oxford Street in London to hunt for bargains. AP

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  There was disappointment for schoolchildren at Rhiwbeina Primary School in Cardiff on Friday, as they watched Wales lose 2-0 to Iran in their Fifa World Cup Group B match. PA