Blairs bow out ...with a final barbed remark from Cherie

A decade later, the Blair family bade a tired and tearful farewell as they walked out for the last time.

The fresh-faced politician and his young family were replaced by a greying man with three grown-up children - and a son who was not even born when his father became Prime Minister.

Mr Blair welled up as his staff formed a guard of honour as he prepared to make the short journey to Buckingham Palace to resign to the Queen.

But it was his wife Cherie who had the last word as the couple were driven away, telling the world's media: "Bye. I don't think we'll miss you."

One insider who witnessed Mr Blair's final moments in Downing Street said: "It was a sad day and everybody cried, including the staff.

"Tony was very teary, Cherie was in bits because she was so upset, and it seemed to be contagious. We all ended up crying."

The Blairs dried their eyes before posing for one final picture outside the front door of Number 10. Mr Blair had nothing more to say, and appeared intent on simply taking in the familiar scene for the last time before giving his daughter Kathryn, 19, a kiss on the cheek.

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Mrs Blair held hands with seven-year-old Leo until the children, including brothers Euan, 23, and Nicky, 21, went back inside and the Blairs got into their car.

Cherie was halfway into the car when she paused, turned to the ranks of photographers and reporters opposite, and made her waspish comment, unable to contain her loathing for the media who have scrutinised the Blairs over the years.

After one of the most emotional days of his life, Mr Blair will at least be able to comfort himself with the knowledge that a little piece of Number 10 will be going with him to his new home.

His staff presented him with a rose bush grown from a cutting from Number 10's rose garden, which is likely to take pride of place on the roof terrace of his £5million house in London's Connaught Square.

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Blair gives daugher Kathryn a peck on the cheek

Cynics might point out that by presenting Mr Blair with a home-grown plant the staff saved themselves the cost of a whip-round, but the gift was more original than the acoustic guitar given to Mr Blair by Labour MPs and peers - the eighth he has been given whilst Prime Minister.

On Tuesday California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave Mr Blair a guitar to add to others from Bono, Bryan Ferry and the British Phonographic Industry, among others.