The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
Sunday 3rd June is the date for one of the most exciting global events in 2012 and one of the biggest days of the year as London hosts a spectacular celebration of our Monarch's 60 year reign.
The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant - a glorious river jamboree - will go down in the history books as a day to remember.
The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal family will be aboard the Royal Barge, as it travels with one thousand decorated and adorned boats down the river.
The main Pageant journey is from Putney to Tower Bridge, with the longer flotilla journey (including mustering, dispersal and the Avenue of Sail) from Hammersmith to Greenwich.
An event this special provides a unique moment to bring people together for an exceptional celebration, just as London demonstrated with the Royal Wedding. This magnificent pageant will be a fitting tribute to Her Majesty's 60 years on the throne and will also kick off a summer like no other. It gives us yet another chance to show off London's pride in its heritage and traditions ahead of the Olympics.
Boris Johnson, The Mayor of London
A major focal point of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend, the Pageant will be the largest flotilla ever 
assembled on the river in modern times, with rowing boats, working boats and pleasure vessels of all shapes and sizes beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Jacks, stretching for an estimated seven miles.
This unique and unprecedented spectacle will provide a wonderful celebratory day for everyone in the UK with hundreds of overseas visitors expected to make the journey to London to witness this historic event.
Broadcast pictures will be shown live to audiences around the world as the impressive flotilla passes down the river with bells tolling, music playing, geysers spraying and whistles blowing.
The pageant will be a chance for everyone to experience a glorious moment in our rich history and the atmosphere will be one of joy and celebration.
It will be a day out to remember for the whole family as parks, riverbanks and bridges will become viewing positions, with extra family entertainment planned for areas by the Thames.