Preparations are gearing up for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, taking place in London on June 3. At the heart of the celebrations will be a 1000-boat flotilla tribute to The Queen's 60-year reign, which will take in 25 miles of Thames riverbank from Putney to Tower Bridge.

Separating the 10 sections of the seven-mile long water procession will be music herald barges, featuring contemporary and classical music, and including a number of specially commissioned premieres performed by ensembles including the Royal Jubilee Bells, Academy of Ancient Music, the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Queen herself will take part in the flotilla, greeting the crowds from her Royal Barge, The Spirit of Chartwell. A large red velvet banner, designed and hand-decorated with half a million gold buttons by artist and sculptor Ann Carrington, will adorn the stern of the Royal Barge.

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