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.