Jennifer Lopez celebrated her Puerto Rican heritage in New York.

The singer-and-actress joined husband Marc Anthony to lead the 53rd Puerto Rican Day Parade through the streets of the US city, sitting on the back of a cream-coloured Chevy convertible and waving Puerto Rica's national flag.

Jennifer – who was born to Puerto Rican parents but raised in New York – said: "It always makes me feel incredibly proud to be Puerto Rican... It's an amazing day."

Thousands of onlookers turned out on the streets to watch the parade, which the couple led as Marc had been crowned the International Godfather.

The 41-year-old singer had stepped in at the last minute after actor Osvaldo Rios was asked to give up the title following a row over his 2004 domestic violence conviction.

Marc, who was raised in New York to parents Guillermina and Felipe Muniz, said: 'It's one of those life-altering moments because it was such a big part of my life... from when I was two years old."

Jennifer, 40, and Marc, have two-year-old twins Max and Emme together.

Other celebrities taking part in the parade included P. Diddy and Busta Rhymes.