Nearly million spectators watch spectacle to mark Queen's Jubilee

More than a million spectators braved cold and wet conditions to watch the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee flotilla.
The record-breaking pageant sailed through the heart of the capital where jubilant crowds gathered to acknowledge the Queen's 60-year reign and celebrate the country's maritime heritage.
The number of revellers passed the expectations of organisers, who said an estimated 1.25 million people lined the banks of the Thames.
And Guinness World Records hailed the event a world record as 670 verified boats completed the pageant route to set a new milestone.
The persistent rain left performers in the pageant and the public soaked and bedraggled, but the Queen was greeted by a sea of red, white and blue as she looked out from her royal barge surrounded by her family, says This is Somerset.

Photo: AP photo

The 86-year-old queen wore a silver and white dress and matching coat - embroidered with gold, silver and ivory spots and embellished with Swarovski crystals to evoke the river - for her trip aboard the barge Spirit of Chartwell, decorated for the occasion in regal red, gold and purple velvet.
The queen's grandson, Prince William, and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge - he in his Royal Air Force uniform, she in a red Alexander McQueen dress - and William's brother, Prince Harry, were among senior royals who joined the queen and her husband, Prince Philip.
After a celebratory peal of bells from a special belfry barge, the royal boat sailed downstream at a stately 4 knots, accompanied by tugs, pleasure craft, narrow boats, kayaks, gondolas, dragon boats and even a replica Viking longboat, according to The Durango Herald.

As Queen, Elizabeth II has travelled across the globe, visiting 116 countries on a total of 26 overseas tours. She has been required to attend numerous royal engagements (only three of which she has missed during her reign), share stages with some of modern history's most influential figures, give festive speeches, act as patron to 600 charities and has seen numerous Prime ministers, Presidents and rulers in her time. She is a businesswoman whose duties are endless.
With such a busy working schedule, many would think that Her Majesty might find it difficult to have time for anything else, but amazingly she has remained a devoted homemaker all through her sovereignty. With four children and double that amount of grandchildren, family has always been paramount to Elizabeth II, and she is the first Queen in history to have a Diamond Wedding anniversary. In a recent interview, Prince William - the Queen's 3rd grandchild - revealed that in his eyes, Elizabeth II is a caring, relaxed grandmother, informs Telegraph.co.uk.