3 June 2012 Last updated at 12:25

In pictures: Diamond Jubilee river pageant

Diamond Jubilee picture galleries

The Royal barge, The Spirit of Chartwell, carrying Queen Elizabeth II passes in front of St Paul's Cathedral during the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, London, England

An estimated one million rain-soaked people packed London to watch the Queen's 1,000-boat Diamond Jubilee pageant weave its way along the River Thames.

Sue Ridley waits on Westminster Bridge for the Royal Barge to pass the House of Commons and the Big Ben clock tower

The poor weather conditions did not deter the throngs of people aiming to get the best spots to view the flotilla.

Pleasure boats of all shapes and sizes muster on the River Thames

Pleasure boats of all shapes and sizes moved into position in readiness for the Queen's arrival.

People wait for the start of the pageant along the River Thames

Boats heading to the muster points sounded their horns and were met with cheers from crowds on the banks.

Members of the public wear royal masks near Tower Bridge during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Thousands lined the route of the nautical parade that marks 60 years of the Queen's reign and promised to be the most spectacular in London for 350 years.

Jubilee revellers cheer as they wait on the riverbank ahead of the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

The Thames barrier was lowered to slow the river's flow. Some 20,000 people were expected to be in the boats of the flotilla, which travelled at 4 knots (4.6 mph).

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall sit and a chat with some of those taking lunch in Piccadilly

The Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were the first of the Royals to make an appearance, stopping for a brief sit down and a chat with people attending a "Big Lunch" event in central London.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Chelsea Pier

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the River Thames to huge cheers from the crowd.

The Queen walks down the gangway to her launch

The Queen's dress and matching coat were designed by Angela Kelly and created from white boucle threaded throughout with silk ribbon and embellished with Swarovski crystals.

The Queen's launch makes its way down the river

At 14:20 BST Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh boarded the royal launch and made their way to the royal barge. As she passed under Albert Bridge, a steam train above her sounded its horn.

Queen Elizabeth II points down river while standing on the royal barge

The Royal Standard was raised on the Spirit of Chartwell to show the Queen was on board. With a red, gold and purple colour scheme, the vessel is designed to echo the richly decorated royal barges of the 17th and 18th Centuries.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall joined the Queen on board.

The Royal Barge is seen passing the Houses of Parliament

The barge passed the Houses of Parliament as the weather worsened.

A gun salute was fired from the banks of the Thames as they passed the Tower of London.

Dozens of spectators at Tower Bridge were disappointed as security staff blocked off pathways due to fears of overcrowding, more than an hour before the flotilla was due to arrive.

Man powered boats row on The River Thames

The man-powered boats, led by the Queen's row barge "Gloriana", were the first to pass HMS Belfast as they headed for the finish line. The Spirit of Chartwell with the royal family aboard passed through a raised Tower Bridge before turning to watch the rest of the flotilla.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cornwall aboard the Spirit of Chartwell

The final vessel arrived beside the Queen - that carrying the London Philharmonic Orchestra. They had been playing throughout the seven-mile journey from Hammersmith, and after Rule Britannia, the National Anthem was played - bringing the pageant to an end.