An iconic Supermarine Spitfire dancing in the sky above Hatfield to Elgar's Nimrod.

Explosions aplenty from dozens of cannon in time to the music.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Red Devils parachute display team dropping in on the Hatfield House Battle Proms concert.The Red Devils parachute display team dropping in on the Hatfield House Battle Proms concert. (Image: John Andrews)

Napoleonic cavalry displays and the British Army's Red Devils dropping in on proceedings.

Flag-waving spectators decked out in Union Jack colours singing along to Last Night of the Proms favourites culminating in a fantastic fireworks finale.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: All dressed up for the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park.All dressed up for the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

It can only be The Battle Proms, which returned to the grounds of Hatfield House on Saturday afternoon and evening.

After having to cancel the annual picnic concert last summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, Battle Proms made a welcome return to the Hatfield social events calendar – with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Capacity in the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House was reduced, and the festival site was expanded to allow for more social distancing of families eating their picnics.

As the poster said as spectators entered the site: "Keep Calm and a Cannon width apart."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A poster advising social distancing at the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park.A poster advising social distancing at the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park. (Image: JohnAndrews)

However, revellers partying in the park were still able to enjoy the familiar Battle Proms fare – dynamic displays and sublime classical music performed by the New English Concert Orchestra conducted by Douglas Coombes MBE.

With clear blue skies on a scorching hot afternoon, the Red Devils parachute display team wowed families at the event with their incredible precision freefall demonstration.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Red Devils at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.The Red Devils at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Red Devils dropping in on the Hatfield House Battle Proms concert.The Red Devils dropping in on the Hatfield House Battle Proms concert. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Red Devils landing at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.The Red Devils landing at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

The Red Devils posted on its official Twitter and Instagram pages: "We thoroughly enjoyed jumping into @Hatfield_House House yesterday evening!

"Be sure to keep an eye out for us at the next @BattleProms Concerts on the 31st of July!"

The Battle Proms Belles also entertained ticket holders with vintage tunes ahead of the two-hour classical programme, including the apt We'll Meet Again after last year's cancellation.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Battle Proms Belles at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House.The Battle Proms Belles at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

The concert's main event kicked off, as usual, with the evening gun salute.

A volley of shots heralded the arrival of the majestic Grace Spitfire for a meticulously choreographed aerial display in the skies above the arena.

The evening's music featured an uplifting selection of soul-stirring classical favourites, including the 1812 Overture.

Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's rousing piece was performed in true Battle Proms style with a thunderous percussion of cannon fire and fireworks.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Fireworks and cannon fire at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.Fireworks and cannon fire at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

This only served as a pyrotechnical warm-up to the open-air concert's signature piece in the second half of the programma: Beethoven’s Battle Symphony.

The Battle Proms is still the only place in the world where you can hear this dramatic piece performed as German composer Ludwig van Beethoven intended, with the full complement of 193 cannons, plus musket fire and fireworks, providing a unique and breathtaking musical spectacle.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Members of The Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team on stage with Pam Rhodes at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House.Members of The Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team on stage with Pam Rhodes at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Hosted by popular BBC presenter Pam Rhodes, the picnic concert finished with a spectacular fireworks finale to accompany Proms favourites such as Rule Britannia.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Audience members at this year's 2021 Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park.Audience members at this year's 2021 Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A Napoleonic cavalry display at the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park.A Napoleonic cavalry display at the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park.The Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Revellers at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.Revellers at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Fireworks at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.Fireworks at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Fireworks and cannon fire at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.Fireworks and cannon fire at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Fireworks and cannon fire at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.Fireworks and cannon fire at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Fireworks at The Battle Proms 2021 in Hatfield Park.Fireworks at The Battle Proms 2021 in Hatfield Park. (Image: JohnAndrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A Napoleonic cavalry display at the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park.A Napoleonic cavalry display at the Battle Proms concert in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Crowds at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.Crowds at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Revellers at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House.Revellers at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Volunteers collecting for Battle Proms' charity partner, SSAFA - the Armed Forces charityVolunteers collecting for Battle Proms' charity partner, SSAFA - the Armed Forces charity (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House.The 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House.The 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Spectators at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House.Spectators at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A family at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House.A family at the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Thousands of people attended the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House.Thousands of people attended the 2021 Battle Proms concert at Hatfield House. (Image: John Andrews)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Crowds of people at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House, Hertfordshire.Crowds of people at the 2021 Battle Proms concert in the grounds of Hatfield House, Hertfordshire. (Image: John Andrews)