Stars of the movie series were to grace the red carpet launch one last time for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2", the action-packed finale to one of the most successful film franchises of all time.
The film sees boy wizard Potter take on the evil Lord Voldemort in a climactic showdown, the second of two films based on the seventh and final Potter book by British author J. K. Rowling.
Fans from around the world have slept out in London's Trafalgar Square for more than six days, desperate to catch a last glimpse of the stars together as they walk the red carpet.
Some were dressed in sorcerer's capes, while others waved magic wands or were disguised as their favourite characters.
Despite the excitement, some fans were sad to see the end of the Potter dream.
Author Rowling laid down her pen -- and Harry's magic wand -- when she completed the seventh book in 2007, but has yet to fully let go of the creation which the Sunday Times estimates has netted her #530 million.
Last month she unveiled an interactive website featuring new material about Potter's world, and announced that his adventures would be sold as e-books for the first time. (AFP)
