The Queen's Diamond Jubilee flotilla

A river spectacular under gray summer skies
River Thames by Vauxhall, central London [map], Sunday 3rd June 2012

To celebrate the Queen's diamond jubilee, the biggest flotilla seen on the River Thames in 350 years was organised, with over a thousand vessels taking part.

The river procession started upriver of Battersea Bridge and finished downriver at Tower Bridge and comprised ships of all shapes and sizes, including tugs, steamers, pleasure cruisers, dragon boats, row boats, kayaks and a hefty boat taking 'er 'ighness to a posh dinner.

Both sides of the river along the route were packed with onlookers - we watched the procession go by from Vauxhall.



I'm not entirely sure what this lot could have seen, being set back a considerable distance from the river at Vauxhall.



Sat on top of bus shelters.



Trying to get a view at Vauxhall.



Up in the trees.



Crowds by the river bank.





Straining for a view.









The procession heads upstream.











The Queen's boat nears.



Half a ton of royals float by.









Dunkirk boats.



Crowd singing, 'God Save The Queen.'.



The steam boats were the stars of the show as far as I was concerned!







Watching the boats go by in the driving rain.



Taking shelter from the rain.



Heading back to Vauxhall tube.



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