Queen's Gloriana barge confirmed for Magna Carta river pageant

The £1m Gloriana led the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee barge has been announced as the flagship in a "spectacular" river pageant to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta.

The Gloriana will join a flotilla of about 200 boats in June on a two-day voyage from Hurley in Berkshire.

The route, along the River Thames, will end at Runnymede, Surrey, where the sealing of the Magna Carta took place.

The £1m Gloriana led the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012.

A copy of the Magna Carta will be transported downstream, with actors telling the story of the document.

Councillor Eileen Quick, member for leisure at Windsor and Maidenhead council, said: "I am so excited that this wonderful row barge will be part of these spectacular once-in-a-lifetime celebrations."

Boat owners have until 28 February to register to take part in the event on 13 and 14 June.

What is Magna Carta?

• The Magna Carta outlined basic rights with the principle that no-one was above the law, including the king

• It charted the right to a fair trial and limits on taxation without representation

• It inspired a number of other documents, including the US Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Only three clauses are still valid - the one guaranteeing the liberties of the English Church; the clause confirming the privileges of the city of London and other towns; and the clause that states that no free man shall be imprisoned without the lawful judgement of his equals

• The British Library has two copies of the 1215 Magna Carta

Source: The British Library