Gloriana leads the way! Queen’s £1million golden Row Barge built for her Diamond Jubilee heads up Platinum Flotilla of 30 different types of boats down the River Thames
- The Platinum Jubilee Flotilla has travelled through Windsor along River Thames
- It was led by a golden Gloriana, The Queen’s Row Barge, which was built in 2012
- The vessel led the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in London the same year
A royal barge created for the Diamond Jubilee led a flotilla through Windsor on the River Thames today, as part of the third day of celebrations to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
The rowing procession was led by Gloriana, The Queen’s Row Barge, which was built in 2012 and led the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in London.
The 88ft royal row barge cost £1 million and was the first to be built for more than a century. It was painstakingly hand built over four years by 60 craftsmen.
Decorated with gold leaf and ornately carved, with 3ft golden lions, the boat harks back 200 years to when kings and queens travelled by water in opulent style.
The procession included up to 30 different types of craft, including racing boats, 10 touring quads and up to a dozen skiffs.
There was also a Bedford Whaler, an outrigger kayak and a dragon boat joining the group.
The procession passed through Windsor to hordes of crowds waving flags, as the Queen spends the day at the Castle, and is expected to watch the Epsom Derby from the television, after being unable to attend in person.
The rowing procession was led by Gloriana, The Queen’s Row Barge, which was built in 2012 and led the Diamond Jubilee Flotilla in London
The Gloriana was powered by a crew of sweep rowers dressed in red
The procession included up to 30 different types of craft, including racing boats, 10 touring quads and up to a dozen skiffs
The golden Gloriana took centre stage and was saluted by those in the procession
Rowers raise their oars during the celebratory procession in Windsor
The Queen’s £2million royal barge Gloriana leading manpowered craft towards Westminster Bridge during Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames in June 2012
It travelled downstream from Boveney Lock, through Windsor on its journey to Staines.
Representatives from rowing clubs in the area took part, along with rowers from The Windsor Boys’ School.
The group saluted by raising their oars in the air before the Gloriana continued its journey towards Romney Lock.
On board the row barge was Lord Sterling, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, along with other dignitaries and invited guests.
People gathered along the riverbank and on the Windsor and Eton pedestrian bridge to watch as the spectacle travelled by.
The Gloriana led row boats as they travelled downstream from Boveney Lock, through Windsor
Crowds gathered in the royal town to watch the procession from the riverbank and bridges
People watched the group as it made its way down the River Thames, through Windsor
On board the Gloriana was Lord Sterling, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, along with other dignitaries and invited guests
At noon, ships across the UK sounded their horns for a nation-wide salute to the Queen.
The UK Chamber of Shipping organised the simultaneous salute to celebrate Her Majesty’s links with the maritime world.
The Royal Family has sailed on 83 royal yachts, including HMY Britannia.
All Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and recreational boats were invited to take part, irrespective of their size, MyLondon reported.
The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, described Britain as a ‘proud maritime nation’ as he discussed the synchronised salute.
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Rowers on board the Gloriana raise their oars as other crafts gather for the procession
Rowers participating in the rowing procession make a salute on the river with their hats
Donned in Union flags, two rowers are led by a coxswain guiding their route down the river
Representatives from rowing clubs in the area took part, along with rowers from The Windsor Boys’ School
Union flags were seen everywhere, with bunting on canal boats and a kayak
A man paddles his kayak decorated in flags as part of the jubilee celebration
He had a special Platinum Jubilee flag flying from the kayak
Rowers on a dragon boat power down the river with tiaras on their heads
Face painted union flags, themed oars and tiaras were seen on the dragon boat
Union flag cowboy hats, balloons and bunting all made an appearance on the river
A man waves his union flag hat from a canal boat decorated for the occasion
People look on from barges bedecked in Union flags as they await a flotilla led by Gloriana
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