The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh braved heavy rain and driving winds to name a spectacular barge built to mark the Jubilee.
The royal couple travelled to the East London dock where Gloriana is currently moored, awaiting the moment when it will make its way to Wandsworth Bridge on the Thames from where it will lead the Jubilee pageant on 3 June.
The million-pound rowbarge, painstakingly hand built over four years by 60 craftsmen, will be one of the star attractions in this summer’s Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 4 June, and will lead a 1,000-strong flotilla of boats with the Queen and the Duke travelling at its heart. The first royal barge to be built in 100 years, Gloriana will be powered on the day by 18 oarsmen, including Britain’s greatest Olympian, Steve Redgrave. Click here to see the picture gallery.
