Running Commentary
Running Commentary from the Jubilee Pageant
20:52 We spent a few hours today with the anti-monarchists protesting on the banks of the Thames. Video, including incisive comment from a ten year old, up here soon.
19:56 Pretty amazing to think the Queen, 86, didn't sit down once for four hours.
19:24 Still substantial crowds in the party spirit in central London
19:21 The British Prime Minister said it was “out of the question” for the Queen to abdicate and pass the crown to the Prince of Wales or to bypass Charles in favor of William.
David Cameron praised the monarch’s role advising and counselling her governments, speaking of her ability to “cut through the fluff and nonsense” of day-to-day politics.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr, Mr Cameron said he believed that the Queen will devote herself to her duties until the last.
"You get the sense she will go on doing the amazing job she has done for this country for as long as she possibly can,” he said.
The Prime Minister dismissed suggestions that the Queen might step down early if her health suffers, or that she might want to be succeeded by her grandson instead of her eldest son.
“I think that both those things are out of the question,” Mr Cameron said
@laura_J_smith85 reports Pippa Middleton getting out of a taxi at London overground station Imperial Wharf. Casual.
18:39 Of course, now the flotialla is over, the skies have now cleared in central London.
18:28 Well, that's it for today's proceedings Royalists. A bit wet, totally barmy and very, very British.
It's almost 6:30pm here in London and the Queen is off for a hot bath and a well-deserved toddy.
Tomorrow's Jubilee events kick off at 7:30pm UK time with a massive pop concert in London, followed by the lighting of the Jubille beacons.
Let's hope the Queen hasn't caught a cold.
18:27 Kate's umbrella matches her McQueen
The Queen took ten minutes or so below decks thanking all the staff who made today's event possible. Now she is back on dry land. Let's hope she doesn't get mal de debarquement.
@euanrellie sums it up "Jubilee celebrations have been fairly eccentric, mostly wet, entirely British and, inexplicably, enjoyed by millions around the world."
18:10 1.2 million people were in central London for the celebrations today.
18:06 The Royals head down below decks as the pageant concludes. Harry bashes into Camilla's umbrella, trademark cheeky grin flashed.
1803 The Dickensian mist suited the daytime fireworks however!
18:01 and yet it is hard not to feel a tingle in the spine as Rule Britannia rings out across the Thames, as the buildings disappear into low lying cloud, followed by God Save The Queen.
1800 I think that the Queen and Philip should now be excused all further royal duties and be run a nice hot bath immediately
17:51 Land of Hope and Glory played by LSO
I just hope and pray neither our octagenerian Queen or her nonagerian husband fall sick as a result of this escapade.
It's all very well to talk about the Dunkirk spirit, British stoicism, etc, but questions will have to be asked about whether this really was an appropriate plan for the UK.
17:44 FLYPAST CANCELLED. Oh dear, oh dear.
17:40 Kate has just put on a scarf
Symphony will be playing the National Anthem
17:37 The final boat, Symphony, carrying the London Symphony Orchestra, is hoving into view, about 30 mintues late. Queen and Kate both look like they have had enough, Charles looking a bit awkward (it was all his idea).
Everyone's favourite Princess-in-law!! P-Middy practises her wave.
17:29 The one person who has looked genuinely delighted all day is Prince Philip. I don't think he is a curmudgeon, I think he just likes challenging climatic conditions. naval background etc.
17:28 People are now leaving, it seems we are softer than we were 60 years ago. I am afraid the rain has really screwed today's celebrations up. My heart goes out to all those who worked so hard on today's pageant. Lets hope tomorrow's party goes better and the Queen doesn't catch a cold.
17:18 The last boats are now coming up to Tower Bridge, fingers crossed for the flypast
17:00 Amazing display of British determination and spirit in face of challenging climatic conditions
The Shard now invisible - I doubt we will see the RAF choppers
The cloud is lowering. Question marks over the ability of RAF helicopters to fly in planned diamond formation in these conditions.
16:48 120 singers from around the Commonwealth are forming an impressive on-river choir
The Queen and DoE are now off the water and under shelter. She's 86. Her husband is 90. It's bloody freezing.
One word: WOW!
16:42 A powerful and emotional moment as two dozen of the surviving little ships of Dunkirk pass the Monarch. The little ships were 700 private boats that sailed from Ramsgate in England to Dunkirk in France between 26 May and 4 June 1940 as part of Operation Dynamo, the rescue of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers, who were trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk during the Second World War.
16:39 First proper pics of the Queen's barge. Note she is hiding from the wind behind her 'throne'.
16:33: if its possible, the rain is just getting harder
Pippa Middleton and family approaching Tower Bridge
16:28 Love this image of the guns being fired in salute
16:26 Queen in postion, awaiting rest of flotilla to pass her
16:20 The Connaught's salute as the Royal barge passes through. It will now head to the North side of the river and tie up alongside HMS President, from where she will watch the rest of the procession. Crowd is ROARING!!!
16:19 That iconic London landmark, Tower Bridge, is opening to allow the sovereign to pass through, as the rain pours down.
16:18 Queen has taken to sheltering from the wind behind the throne she was supposed to be sitting on.
16:11 It has just started lashing with rain in London. Pouring down! British spirits undimmed however.
First pics coming in of the Young Royals on their way to board the barge earlier today
16:02 Royal barge approaching Tower Bridge
16:00 We were down with the anti-monarchy protesters at City Hall earlier. A surprisingly good-tempered bunch of revolutionaries, but seriously outnumbered today
15:58 The entire procession of 1,000 boats takes 70 minutes to pass by
15:55 The Royal barge is just passing the National Theatre. The Queen went below decks for a few minutes to get out of the wind, but she is back on deck now.
The Diamond Jubilee Pageant is well underway, with the Royal barge making stately progess down the Thames. The Queen is expected to reach Tower Bridge, the end of the route, in about 30 minutes time, where the Royal barge will halt, and watch as the remaining 1000 boats pass by.l