Not only is Queen Elizabeth II the oldest serving Monarch she is now our longest serving Monarch. Today she exceeds the reign of Queen Victoria who was Queen for 63 years and 7 months. At 89 years of age the Queen is still working and today left her Summer residence at Balmoral in Scotland to open a new railway line there. She did not want a celebration in honour of breaking her Great Great Grandmother's record but in London the church bells were ringing and a very small flotilla including the Queen's barge processed up the river Thames.
I was at St Katharine's Dock watching them getting ready. This boat is the Havengore best known for carrying Winston Churchill's coffin down the Thames to his final resting place. It also played a major role in the Diamond jubilee celebrations. Inside the boat at the back was a brass band which we could hear but not see.
This is the Gloriana the Queen's rowbarge.
At 12 o'clock Tower Bridge opened and all the barges sounded their horns.
You can just about see the heads of the brass band seated at the back of the boat
The fire barge was following shooting water into the air. It did stop as it went beneath Tower Bridge so as not to soak everyone, looking on from the side of the bridge.
Once the bridge went down I dashed onto it to catch the rest of the ships and passenger boats. You can just see the fire barge with the water fountains and HMS Belfast on the left which did a four gun salute as the boats went past.
A little behind the others was this steam boat making all kinds of funny sounds as it emitted steam.
Nice tribute to the Queen ! It's amazing that she is still so fit ! I wished I would be the same if ever I would make it to this age !
ReplyDeletemuch ado :O)
ReplyDeleteI admire how she goes right on doing what she is supposed to do every day no matter what!
ReplyDeleteThe Queen is an amazing woman! She totally deserves a little pomp and recognition.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations with this milestone. Incredible she reigns so long and still looking good and even has still hur husband at her side. She will be 100 I believe.
ReplyDeleteI heard there was to be searchlights in the sky at various sites too. She certainly has good genes.
ReplyDeleteWhat an historic moment, and thanks for being our on-the-spot reporter! Last year I truly thought I would be in London on this day. The best laid plans of mice and men .... Long live the Queen!
ReplyDeleteA long reign but she still looks bright and obviously enjoys her role..
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. I too hope she continues to delight her subjects for many years to come. :-)
ReplyDeleteGod Bless the Queen!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post
ALOHA
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
I am impressed how the Queen still keeps up her public appearances - I'll be impressed if I'm alive at 89, let alone able to do all she does. She's a great woman and makes the country proud.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that she still maintain appearance at her age. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see this, even though it is not a celebration as such. She is a wonderful woman and sets a great example.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Congratualations to your much loved Queen. Interesting to see these boats.
ReplyDeleteTHe queen is a strong woman. It seems to have been a great celebration without overdoing it :)
ReplyDeleteQueen Elizabeth is such a marvelous woman. I remember her as a Princess in my childhood (sh does beat me by 9 years!). You captured the festive occasion very nicely.
ReplyDelete