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Royal Thames Pageant: Thousand boats take to river on Queen’s diamond jubilee (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Published time: June 03, 2012 17:21
Edited time: June 03, 2012 21:44
Boats of all shapes and sizes take part in a pageant near Tower Bridge in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (Reuters/Dylan Martinez)
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The River Thames hasn’t seen so many vessels afloat on its waters for centuries. Up to 20,000 people aboard 1,000 boats, big and small, sailed up the river to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

­The River Pageant is being called the largest such celebration on the Thames since the reign of Charles II, 350 years ago.

The Queen, dressed in a white hat and a silver and white coat, travelled at the heart of the flotilla, which involved tugs, steamers, pleasure cruisers, dragon boats and kayaks.

As her royal barge, decorated with 10,000 flowers, neared the Tower of London at the end of its seven-mile journey, it was greeted by a 41-gun salute.

Queen Elizabeth II was accompanied by senior royals, her children and grandchildren.

Despite the rain and traditional grey skies above London, up to a million people crowded the embankments to cheer the Queen.

Britain′s Queen Elizabeth II (C) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) are greeted by Chelsea pensioners at Chelsea Pier in London (AFP Photo/Pool/Bethany Clarke)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) are greeted by Chelsea pensioners at Chelsea Pier in London (AFP Photo/Pool/Bethany Clarke)
A gun salute is fired from the banks of the River Thames at the Tower of London (AFP Photo/Pool/Paul Hackett)
A gun salute is fired from the banks of the River Thames at the Tower of London (AFP Photo/Pool/Paul Hackett)
Members of the British royal family (L-R) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Britain′s Queen Elizabeth II Prince William and Prince Harry stand aboard the royal barge ′Spirit of Chartwell′ (AFP Photo/Pool/Matt Dunham)
Members of the British royal family (L-R) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II Prince William and Prince Harry stand aboard the royal barge 'Spirit of Chartwell' (AFP Photo/Pool/Matt Dunham)
A girl waves with Britain′s Union flags along the river Thames (AFP Photo/John Macdougall)
A girl waves with Britain's Union flags along the river Thames (AFP Photo/John Macdougall)
The Queen′s rowbarge ′Gloriana′ (front) leads the manpowered section past the Houses of Parliament (AFP Photo/Ben Stansall)
The Queen's rowbarge 'Gloriana' (front) leads the manpowered section past the Houses of Parliament (AFP Photo/Ben Stansall)

Comments (12)

God save our nationalism! (unregistered) 05.06.2012 01:14

For all you jealous, conspiracy theorist, angry people who oft visit this Russian propoganda machine, get a life, please. The majority British reaction to this grand event has been one of immense pride in our country and it's national traditions, and that does not make us 'sheep'.Of course, there is an economic crisis, and always various problems with homelessness, poverty and the like. We know this and as such the British people also come together on big charity events and such, with a desire to help solve these problems- and we do a better job than most other countries I should add!With the rampant, growing threat of global socialism, surely this grand event of national tradition should be welcomed. I know it was here in Britain! God save our admirable, hardworking Queen, and our right to Nationalism! :)

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What -A-Life (unregistered) 05.06.2012 00:56

Hypocrisy parade of  Bloodthirsty 60 years of tyranny from behind the curtain...She has been signing ans suppoting all the British atrocities around the world, espcially British role in genocide in 'Nigeria' against innocent Christain people of Biafra...
Watch documentary on 'Mother goddess' by David Icke. 

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Harry Potter (unregistered) 04.06.2012 11:54

John....100 percent! The monarchy is a busted royal flush costing a million Pounds a week. One wonders if our politicians get commission to keep the whole show on the road. Harry blows 20,000 pounds on nightclubs in one night. Andrew is always on the golf course arriving by his personal RAF helicopter. Williams wife a Diana replacement made for fashion parades. Diana was a more interesting character by saying that Charles was not fit to be King. They took away her title for saying that on the BBC. The Duke of Edinburgh had more medals than the Archduke of Prussia. Apparently the British need a monarchy even if it serves no actual purpose; except waving GOODBYE. The Queen says she will never abdicate....perhaps we need a Republic with less castles for one family thats on group welfare tax-free.  DAILY MAIL readers complaining they were not impressed with the BBC coverage on sunday of the royal boat show on the Thames....what did they expect? The Loch Ness monster riding  up the Thames expecting a knighthood.

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