Londoners and its visitors are being asked to line the banks of the River Thames and applaud The Queen as she becomes the longest reigning Monarch on 9th September.
A small river pageant will take place, reminiscent of the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, and organisers are encouraging those in the area to mark the occasion of The Queen’s historic achievement with their hands. The idea was that of the captain of a vessel that took part in the pageant, on a rainy day in June 2012.
The Royal Family aboard Royal Barge Spirit of Chartwell during the river pageant – The Commonwealth
Chris Ryland, owner of the Havengore, is co-ordinating the event, said “Those of us who were lucky enough to take part in the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant will never forget the great warmth which Londoners – and many others from across the world – showed as they lined the river banks to cheer Her Majesty. This would seem to form a very fitting sequel.”
Boats of all kinds will take to the waters at midday, and make waves in the London river. They hope that residents of the local area, as well as visitors and tourists, will create a ‘wave of applause’ during the event, to mark the occasion.
Gloriana, the row barge, will be joined by the Havengore and fireboat, the Massey Shaw (a boat equipped with fire hose that served London’s fire service until 1971) for the 30 minute event. The mini-pageant forms part of Totally Thames, a month long festival of events celebrating London’s river.
Gloriana will be taking part in the flotilla – The Commonwealth
The route begins at Tower Bridge, where the bridge will be raised in honour of the occasion, and then follows to route of the Thames eastwards, passing and the London Eye, eventually reaching the Houses of Parliament. The boats will sound their horns to rouse the crowds, and HMS Belfast will sound a 4-gun saulte as they glide past. The National Anthem and three cheers will conclude the flotilla.
Adrian Evans, Director Totally Thames and Pageant Master said “The Diamond Jubilee flotilla of a thousand boats, re-established the River Thames as an arena for royal pageantry. How apt it is then that the river community should want to celebrate the moment when Her Majesty becomes the longest serving monarch in British history with a joyous flotilla on the Thames.”
See the route here. Will you be joining them on 9th September?
