Brussels was buzzing on Wednesday morning. Today was a day that EU would receive official notification of divorce from the EU under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
For some Brexiters gathered on the steps of the EU institution, it was a day of celebration. "I'm happy. It's a start. It's one more step on the road towards self-determination and freedom."
But not far from where they stood, a few hundred meters away, the UK's Ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, left the UK embassy in Brussels to deliver the letter from the UK Prime Minister to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council at 1:30 p.m. local time. Letter in hand, the EU Council President then addressed the media pack assembled.
"Our goal is clear, to minimize the cost for the EU citizens, businesses and member states. We will do everything in our power and we have all the tools to achieve this difficulty."
But a long and difficult road now lies ahead. And with the most basic questions still left unanswered, concluding negotiations within two years is going to be a monumental task.