'We miss you already': European press bid 'farewell' to Britain on Brexit Day but warn that 'divorce hurts' 

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The European press has responded to the official launch of Brexit with a series of emotive headlines, some bid Britain 'farewell' while others warn 'divorce hurts'. 

Prime Minister Theresa May officially invoked Article 50 on Tuesday night by signing a letter to the European Union Council President Donald Tusk.

The UK's ambassador to the EU, Tim Barrow, delivered the letter formally triggering Brexit to Tusk on Wednesday afternoon.

Barrow arrived at European Council headquarters carrying a briefcase Wednesday morning.

Since photos emerged of May signing the documents, papers and news sites across Europe have reacted to the launch of Brexit.

Papers and news sites across Europe have reacted to the launch of Brexit. France's Liberation paper's front page says, 'We miss you!'. Featuring a photo of a Queen's Guard official, the paper asks its readers to imagine two scenarios for the future of Britain: one dark, and one rose-tinted

May officially invoked Article 50 on Tuesday night by signing a letter to the European Union Council President Donald Tusk.

France's Liberation paper's front page says, 'We miss you!'

Featuring a photo of a Queen's Guard official, the paper asks its readers to imagine two scenarios for the future of Britain: one dark, and one rose-tinted.

France's financial paper, Les Echos, featured a photo of a misty Big Ben, with the headline 'Brexit: Day One'.

France's daily afternoon paper Le Monde explained 'The consequences of the split' in its story about Brexit.

France's Le Croix said that the launch of Brexit is 'leaving citizens worried'. 

Germany's conservative Die Welt featured a photo of May in a Union Jack flag in the shape of a boat, waving as she floats into the sunset. The page is headlined, 'Farewell', and says: 'Today, British Prime Minister May officially divorces the EU'

Britain's permanent representative to the European Union Tim Barrow arrives at the EU Council headquarters with the briefcase on Wednesday 

France's daily afternoon paper Le Monde explained 'The consequences of the split' in its story about Brexit

France's Le Croix, featuring a photo of people walking down the street, said that the launch of Brexit is 'leaving citizens worried'. It's headline reads 'The uprooting of Brexit'

Meanwhile, France's Le Fiagaro shared a photo of May, with the headline: 'The day the United Kingdom says farewell to Europe'

France's financial paper, Les Echos, featured a photo of a misty Big Ben, with the headline 'Brexit: Day One'

Emmanuel Macron, the centrist who is favourite to win the French presidential election in May, said on Wednesday his priority, as Britain starts the process of divorce from the European Union, would be to protect EU citizens.

'The question is not to punish the UK for a vote by the British people. The question on both sides is to organise precisely and smoothly such a decision,' he said after meeting London mayor Sadiq Khan.

'My priority will be to protect the European Union and the interests of the European citizen and my deep wish is to have Great Britain, with the European Union ... in another relationship,' he told reporters. 

Meanwhile, France's Le Fiagaro shared a photo of May, with the headline: 'The day the United Kingdom says farewell to Europe.'

Germany's conservative Die Welt featured a photo of May in a Union Jack flag in the shape of a boat, waving as she floats into the sunset.

The page is headlined, 'Farewell', and says: 'Today, British Prime Minister May officially divorces the EU. The United Kingdom is followed by a journey into the unknown.' 

Germany's BILD called Brexit the split 'of the century' on its website. It used the headline, 'How dirty is this divorce?', providing 12 answers to the question inside

Spiegel Online, meanwhile, wrote that May's 'five-front fight' has started. The article suggests that May 'can hardly win' the fight

Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine said: 'Divorce Hurts'. The paper, which said attitudes toward post-Brexit Britain were hardening in Berlin, featured a photo of the silhouette of Winston Churchill's statue

Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine said: 'Divorce Hurts'.

The paper, which said attitudes toward post-Brexit Britain were hardening in Berlin, featured a photo of the silhouette of Winston Churchill's statue.

Britain's economy is sending mixed signals about its readiness for Brexit. Economic growth was resilient in 2016, confounding forecasts of a quick and painful hit after June's Brexit vote.

There have been recent signs that exporters are benefiting from the pound's fall and a pickup in the world economy.

But consumers, typically the main drivers of British growth, appear to be turning more cautious. 

Germany's BILD called Brexit the split 'of the century' on its website. 

It used the headline, 'How dirty is this divorce?', providing 12 answers to the question inside.

Spiegel Online, meanwhile, wrote that May's 'five-front fight' has started. 

Italy's La Republica used a photo of two men holding a flag that appeared to be a combination of Scotland's and the European Union's flags. 'Secession against Brexit: Now Scotland challenge London,' the headline reads

Italy's Corriere Della Sera headlined its front page: 'Brexit stars, but without walls.' The paper says that immigration will be decided sector by sector

Belgian paper Le Soir, which is a French language paper, used the date to mark the day going down in European history. The headline reads: 'Theresa May signs the end of Europe on the 28'

The article suggests that May 'can hardly win' the fight.

Italy's Corriere Della Sera headlined its front page: 'Brexit stars, but without walls.'

The paper says that immigration will be decided sector by sector.

Italy's La Republica used a photo of two men holding a flag that appeared to be a combination of Scotland's and the European Union's flags. 

'Secession against Brexit: Now Scotland challenge London,' the headline reads. 

Belgian paper Le Soir, which is a French language paper, used the date to mark the day going down in European history.

'On 29 March 2017, the British Prime Minister declared the break and launched two years of negotiations,' the paper says. 

Portugal's Publico featured a silhouette of the Winston Churchill statue in front of Big Ben in London. The paper listed four headlines relating to Brexit that are inside the paper, including a story about May, a commentary op-ed and a guide to the EU

Spain's El Pais headlined its front page 'London sets the stage for the future of Europe'. The paper featured a photo of Prime Minister Theresa May signing the letter triggering Britain's exit from the EU

Polish paper Gazeta Wyborcza only used a small section of its front page to announce Brexit Day. With a photo of a European Union flag ripped halfway to show a Union Jack underneath, the paper says: 'Today, Brexit begins'

Polish paper Gazeta Wyborcza only used a small section of its front page to announce Brexit Day.

With a photo of a European Union flag ripped halfway to show a Union Jack underneath, the paper says: 'Today, Brexit begins.' 

Spain's El Pais headlined its front page 'London sets the stage for the future of Europe'.

The paper featured a photo of Prime Minister Theresa May signing the letter triggering Britain's exit from the EU.

The paper's article was subheaded: 'Scotland approves to negotiate another referendum.'

Portugal's Publico featured a silhouette of the Winston Churchill statue in front of Big Ben in London.

The paper listed four headlines relating to Brexit that are inside the paper, including a story about May, a commentary op-ed and a guide to the EU.

HOW KEY FIGURES REACTED TO ARTICLE 50 BEING TRIGGERED 

 Here are some key reactions and commentary following Britain's launch of the process to leave the European Union:

• 'Already miss you' - 'We already miss you... There is no reason to pretend this is a happy day' - EU President Donald Tusk.

• 'Interlinked relationship' - 'The negotiations must first clarify how we will disentangle our interlinked relationship... and only when this question is dealt with, can we, hopefully soon after, begin talking about our future relationship,' - German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: 'The negotiations must first clarify how we will disentangle our interlinked relationship'

• 'Let's stay friends' - 'The sentence often used in private divorces, 'let's stay friends', rings true in this case. Britain remains our neighbour, like the European Union is for Britain. We need each other' - German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

• 'Sentimentally painful' - While Brexit is 'sentimentally painful' for the Europeans, it would be 'economically painful' for the British. But 'it is not our intention to punish (the British) for the principle' - French President Francois Hollande.

• 'Act as one' - 'In these negotiations the Union will act as one and preserve its interests' - the EU's other 27 member states.

• 'New chapter' - 'Today isn't a good day. #Brexit marks a new chapter in our Union's history, but we're ready, we'll move on, hoping UK remains (a) close partner' - European Parliament chief Antonio Tajani.

• 'Building new walls' - 'The politicians who fought for #Brexit were allowed to grow up in a free Europe. Today they are building new walls... History will show that Brexit is a tremendous mistake. It will create a lot of damage for both sides.' - Manfred Weber, head of European People's Party (EPP), the biggest group in the European Parliament.

• 'Point of no return' - 'The impossible dream is happening. Today we pass the point of no return,' - former UKIP leader and prominent 'Leave' campaigner Nigel Farage, who tweeted a picture of the letter being handed over with the phrase 'you've been triggered.'

• 'Avoiding a divorce' - 'The Netherlands are committed to avoiding a divorce and building another friendship' with Britain. 'We want to prevent others from awarding themselves the biggest parts of the cake... Let's stay calm, be realistic and negotiate' - Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders.

• 'Netherlands will follow' - 'A historic moment! Congratulations Britain, regaining national sovereignty! The Netherlands will follow in a few years time!' - Dutch Freedom Party MP Geert Wilders.

• 'Path still unknown' - 'It is a historic day that will mark Europe's entry onto a path still unknown.' I hope that 'European citizens will come out with advantages' - Portuguese Finance Minister Mario Centeno.