Crowds defy rain to salute Jubilee (From Southend Standard)

Crowds defy rain to salute Jubilee

5:36pm Sunday 3rd June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Cheering crowds have greeted the Queen as she travelled through the heart of the capital at the head of her majestic 1,000-strong Diamond Jubilee flotilla.

Surrounded by her family, the monarch acknowledged the good wishes of thousands who had flocked to the River Thames to witness the once in a lifetime spectacle.

Bridges and embankments were filled with spectators while others found vantage spots in offices blocks, all desperate to catch a glimpse of the myriad of boats, ships and tugs passing by.

The Queen received an outpouring of good wishes from those who had braved cold and wet conditions to see her and the water-borne celebration of her 60-year reign.

After travelling for around seven miles though the capital the royal barge moored just past Tower Bridge just as predicted heavy showers began to fall. The Queen then watched the spectacle of the flotilla for herself - the narrow boats, tugs, Dunkirk little ships, pleasure cruisers and steam boats.

The Queen braved the rain without an umbrella standing under an ornate canopy to watch the ships pass by flanked by Philip and Charles, while behind them were stood William, Kate and Harry.

The crews of the boats waved as they came into view of the Queen and her family and their waves were returned by the royals. Many of those on board the barges, narrow boats, Dunkirk little ships, cruisers and pleasure boats sheltered under umbrellas as the rain came down.

Speaking after his vessel passed the Queen, Ian Gilbert, 61, from Shepperton in Surrey, skipper of the Dunkirk Little ship Papillon, described the occasion as unique.

He said: "When you're at the helm you tend to miss alot of what's going on because you're just so focused, but it was very enjoyable and it was all worth it. This isn't going to happen again in our lifetime. I don't think anyone will put a show like this on again in our lifetime.

"We're particularly proud because we had the biggest contingent of any association and I think that shows the importance of these little boats to the country and to the sovereign."