The biggest water-borne pageant on London's river for 350 years isthe set-piece event of four days of national celebrations for thequeen's 60th year on the throne. While hundreds of thousands of people gathered in London to watchthe remarkable collection of boats on their 11-kilometre(seven-mile) journey, millions more were holding street partiesaround Britain in an event termed "the Big Lunch". Red, white and blue bunting was flying in towns and villages aspeople gathered to watch the pageant on television before holdingtheir own celebrations. The river pageant will be led by a barge carrying eight newly castgiant bells ringing out and the bells of churches along the Thameswill reply as the biggest such pageant in London for 350 yearsprogresses down the river. The 86-year-old queen and senior royals will follow on board theSpirit of Chartwell, a converted sightseeing boat decorated withflowers whose prow will be adorned with a golden sculpturedepicting a flowing-bearded Father Thames. Behind them will follow a collection of steam boats and tugs, speedboats and historic vessels, including Dunkirk "little ships" thatevacuated British forces from Europe in World War II and a Chinesedragon boat. The pageant will reach central London by 2:30 pm (1330 GMT) and isexpected to last four hours. Some avid royal fans camped out overnight along the banks of theriver, braving driving rain to secure a good vantage point. Nicola Holder, a retired community worker from Devon in southwestEngland, said she had been prepared to put up with "miserable"conditions and with a wringing-wet sleeping bag to see thespectacle from Westminster Bridge. "I've never seen anything like this, and I've just got so muchrespect for the queen," she told AFP, peering at Big Ben throughthe rain and fog. "I can't think of any other human being who's set an example likeshe has. I think she's been a very wise lady -- as a nation we oweher a huge debt." Forecasters said there would be little respite as the day wore on,with rain getting heavier in the capital. Pageant Master Adrian Evans, who is in charge of the extravaganza,brushed off the sodden conditions. "There is some rain around, but it has not dampened any spirits,"he said. "We in Britain are experts at not letting the weather spoil ourfun." Britons have planned more than 9,500 street parties for Sunday,bidding to recreate the spirit of the queen's silver jubilee in1977 when millions held street parties. The four-day national jubilee holiday began on Saturday with thequeen indulging in her love of horse racing at the Epsom Derbyhorse race, where she was greeted by flag-waving crowds. A huge Union Jack was projected onto Buckingham Palace on Saturdaynight, and the huge London Eye ferris wheel on the Thames wasilluminated in red, white and blue. The celebrations come as the royal family enjoys its highestsupport for decades. That is especially true for the queen, who isonly the second British monarch to celebrate a diamond jubilee,after queen Victoria in 1897. The river pageant on Sunday is by far the most complex part of thefestivities, and effectively doubles up as a security rehearsal forthe London Olympics that open on July 27. Some 190 boats will sail alongside the pageant to handle securityand respond to any emergencies, while around 5,500 police and 7,000volunteers will be on standby. Heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, as well asPrince William, his wife Catherine and his brother Prince Harry,are joining the queen and her husband Prince Philip on thesumptuous red and gold royal barge. Music ranging from the national anthem and chiming bells toBollywood tunes and the famous James Bond theme will blare fromboats, while the Thames flood barrier will be closed to ensure calmwaters. On Monday there will be a concert in the shadow of BuckinghamPalace featuring Paul McCartney and other top names, before thefestivities culminate in the pomp and splendour of a ceremonialparade on Tuesday. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Deep Groove Ball Bearings , China Double Row Roller Bearing for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Double Row Roller Bearing.
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