Olympic torch passes Buckingham Palace, Downing Street in London (PHOTOS)
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry watch Wai-Ming hand over the London 2012 Olympic Torch to John Hulse during a visit to Buckingham Palace during Day 69 of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay on July 26, 2012 in London, England. The Olympic flame is making its way through the capital on the penultimate day of its journey around the UK before arriving in the Olympic Stadium on Friday evening for the Olympic games’ Opening Ceremony.
The Olympic torch passed by Buckingham Palace and Downing Street in central London on Thursday, as it made its way through London on the penultimate day of its journey, said the BBC.
Prince William, his wife Kate, and Prince Harry greeted three torchbearers at Buckingham Palace, as the torch made its way towards Hyde Park, according to the Associated Press.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, who met the torch at Downing Street, said the Olympics would prove "Britain can deliver."
Earlier in the day, at a press conference, Cameron said, "Let's put our best foot forward, we're an amazing country with fantastic things to offer. This is a great moment for us, let's seize it."
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London Mayor Boris Johnson responded to earlier skepticism from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney by saying, "There's guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know if we are ready. Are we ready? Yes we are!"
Romney, in an interview with NBC's Brian Williams, said, "You know, it's hard to know just how well it will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting, the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging," according to the Guardian.
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Cameron immediately responded, saying, "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it's easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere," the Guardian reported.
The torch also passed by St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben and other London landmarks, said CNN.
Nearly 80,000 fans gathered at Hyde Park to welcome the torch with a pop concert on Thursday, the Guardian said, with performers such as Dizzee Rascal, Wretch 32, Katy B and Eliza Doolittle taking the stage.
The torch will complete its 70-day, 8,000-mile journey on Friday, said the AP, when it lights the Olympic Stadium's cauldron.