Vessels gather for Queen's Diamond Jubilee

  • 12 years ago
(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Pleasure boats of all shapes and sizes were mustering on the River Thames at Hammersmith in west London on Sunday (June 3) morning preparing to take part in the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant.

Flags and bunting were festooned across the vessels in celebration of the Queen's 60 year reign.

A thousand vessels are taking part in the flotilla, which starts at Chelsea in central London and ends at the iconic Tower Bridge.

The Queen will sail down the Thames in a luxury cruiser, the Spirit of Chartwell, which has been transformed into a royal barge.

At Tower Bridge, the Queen will take a salute and watch the rest of the flotilla pass by.

Military boats, D-Day boats, paddle steamers and boats from across the Commonwealth are taking part in the flotilla.

Despite the rain, cold temperatures and grey skies, millions are expected to throng the banks of the Thames to view the spectacle.