Gloriana heads flotilla to honour the Queen’s 90th birthday

As part of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, a flotilla of boats will sail the River Thames, London on 11 June.

Gloriana, The Queen’s Rowbarge
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Gloriana, The Queen’s Rowbarge, will be leading a flotilla of boats on the River Thames as part of celebrations on 11 June to mark The Queen’s 90th birthday.

The vessels will sail up river at 11.10am from Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament, before making the return journey at 12.15pm.

The flotilla of 50 boats will include the Royal Shallop Jubilant, the legendary fireboat Massey Shaw and the historic Havengore vessel, famous for carrying Sir Winston Churchill’s coffin on the day of his state funeral.

See below for a full flotilla schedule 

The Drapers’ Company barge Royal Thamesis, the Thames Limo charter boat and over a dozen Dunkirk Little Ships will also take part in the procession.

Once outside the Houses of Parliament, the rowers on the Gloriana will “toss oars” to salute the Palace of Westminster. Among the rowers will be the five-time Olympic Gold medalist, Sir Steve Redgrave.

The Gloriana will then lead the boats back to Tower Bridge, which will lift in salute at 12.55 for the procession.

Itinerary for the Queen's Birthday flotilla on the River Thamae

The itinerary for the flotilla. Credit: Gloriana, The Queen’s Rowbarge/Facebook

 

This will coincide with a flypast by the Red Arrows at Buckingham Palace, where the Queen and other members of the Royal Family are expected to be on the balcony in front of waiting crowds.

The flotilla will then reach the Tower of London at around 1pm, when a 62-gun salute will be fired.

Other events on 11 June include the traditional Trooping of the Colour Parade and carriage procession and gun salutes in Green Park.

Meanwhile a model of the Royal Yacht Britannia will take centre stage at a carnival parade on 12 June.

The model is six metres long and four metres high. It is made of lightweight material and is held via poles.

HM Royal Yacht Britannia

HM Royal Yacht Britannia. Credit Chris Allen

 

The procession down The Mall is to celebrate the Queen’s role as patron of 612 charities and organisations.

It has been designed by Ala Lloyd, who was involved in the production of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics.

There will also be a picnic for 10,000 people.