Montreux: Fans of the late British rockstar Freddie Mercury gathered in Montreux, Switzerland to celebrate what would have been the Queen frontman's 80th birthday.
People assembled around Mercury's bronze statue overlooking Lake Geneva, decorating the landmark with balloons, cards and drawings in tribute to the late musician.
Montreux holds special significance in Mercury's story, because the musician spent some of his final years in the Swiss town and recorded there extensively with Queen.
The event formed part of the annual Freddie Mercury Birthday Party, which this year marked its tenth anniversary.
Celebrations centred on the Casino Barriere, home to the 'Queen: The Studio Experience' museum. The venue was formerly Mountain Studios, which was owned by Queen and where the band recorded several albums, including 'Jazz', 'A Kind of Magic' and 'The Miracle'.
To mark Mercury's 80th birthday, organisers invited guests to embrace the star's sophisticated side at a themed ball called 'The Great Pretender's Gala'.
Some attendees arrived in masks and tuxedos, while others paid tribute by recreating some of Mercury's most iconic stage costumes, including his distinctive yellow military-style jacket.
The celebrations included a birthday toast and a rendition of 'Happy Birthday', alongside performances of Queen classics such as 'We Are the Champions'.
The event also raised funds for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the charity organisation founded by Queen's surviving members to support the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
Mercury, who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, passed away from the disease in 1991 at the age of 45.