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Subscribe to RSSQueen Elizabeth II's subjects honor her with the launch of a thousand boats on the Thames, a river pageant the likes of which Britons have not seen for 350 years. NBC's Michelle Kosinki reports.
Updated at 3:52 p.m. ET: It was Queen Elizabeth I who launched 1,000 ships down the River Thames in the 16th century. The same number of boats made their way through London on Sunday — not an armada for battle, but a fanfare of pageantry celebrating the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Black clouds, gusting winds and often torrential rain — the hallmarks of a British summer outdoor event — were unable to darken the magnificence of the display, although several people were treated for hypothermia.
Hundreds of thousands gathered on the banks of the Thames to watch the queen glide past in a barge decorated with flowers, with her closest family at her side, including grandson Prince William and his wife, Kate.
Peter Jeary, NBC News
Rain-soaked spectators arrived early to get a good view.
The 1,000-strong flotilla was met by spectators lining 11 of the bridges that cross the river in the city center. Some of those had arrived in a chilly, miserable dawn to make sure they had the perfect view.
Eileen Scott, 67, from Southampton, England, had celebrated the start of Elizabeth's reign as a young girl. "We haven't had a pageant for so long,” she said. "I was here for the coronation. I was 8, and it was a dreadful day like this one."
In pictures: Britain honors Queen Elizabeth II with Diamond Jubilee
Erica Vey, a Royal Air Force veteran and amputee, was in the front row of spectators. "It is typically English to wait for hours on for something; we have the patience,” she said.
In the flotilla were kayaks, rowboats, barges and the Motor Torpedo Boat 102 on which the Allied Forces commander, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspected warships before the 1944 D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France.
All were decorated with flags and banners, making an extraordinarily colorful spectacle harking back to Tudor times, when river pageants regularly took place for royal festivities.
While more than a century separates festivities marking Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne from those honoring her predecessor Queen Victoria, surprising similarities connect the commemorations. NBC News' Jim Maceda reports.
'Look! I've got the queen!'
In the distance, the dull waters of the Thames were slowly developing color as the formation of 1,000 boats of different shapes, sizes and colors approached Westminster bridge. Music also accompanied mass displays enhancing the atmosphere of the Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Bands on boats played "Pomp and Circumstance"; at one stage, a large vessel played Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair." Then an Indian bagpipe band played Asian renditions of "When the Saints Go Marching In," complemented by Bollywood-style dancing that prompted those watching on the bridge to join in the singing.
After three "hip hip hoorays," a woman started screaming out the national anthem, which spread over the whole bridge. Then the queen approached in the middle of the flotilla aboard the Spirit of Chartwell, where she stood and waved.
There was a frenzy to snap pictures before the vessel passed the bridge. Two women excitedly compared photographs:
"Look! I've got the queen!"
"Wow! I don't, but I have Will and Kate."
"You should give me your email. I'll email them to you."
Organizers say Sunday's river pageant was the largest of its kind in 350 years — when a similar spectacle was held for King Charles II and his consort, Catherine of Braganza, in 1662.
Although the queen is still head of state in 16 countries from Australia and Canada to tiny Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean, Britain is now a shadow of its former imperial self.
A much-needed joyous celebration
Historians and commentators say the pomp and spectacle of British royal occasion gives the country a sense of national pride at a time when the economy is in recession and people face deep austerity measures.
Secret donors, foreign firms bankroll UK’s Diamond Jubilee celebration
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, street parties were being held to mark the occasion. Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, dropped in on one in central London before the pageant, joining in a rousing rendition of the national anthem.
The government hopes the festivities will mark the start of a summer of revelry capped off by the Olympic Games in London, raising the public's spirits and its own poll ratings.
However, economists have warned that the extra public holidays will hit Britain's already ailing economy, potentially prolonging a recession.
The celebrations come as polls show overwhelming backing for the monarchy, which has overcome a slump in the 1990s following marital infidelities and the death of the hugely popular Princess Diana in a 1997 Paris car crash.
Last year's wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton was proof of such enduring appeal, with the ceremonial extravaganza attracting a global audience of up to 2 billion people.
However, not everyone in London was cheering. The small yet vocal Republican movement planned a protest during the flotilla, saying the jubilee was "a celebration of inherited power and privilege, and those celebrations have no place in a modern democracy."
Celebrations continue Monday with a pop concert outside Elizabeth's London residence, Buckingham Palace, where Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder will be among the acts. The band Madness is set to take to the roof of the famous landmark to belt out the hit song "Our House."
Ben Fogle reports from a canoe taking part in the flotilla of 1,000 boats honoring Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee weekend.
Chiara Francavilla and Peter Jeary of NBC News in London and Alastair Jamieson of msnbc.com contributed to this report.
More world news from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- As United States pulls out, China seeks role in Afghanistan
- Anger as Egypt's ex-ruler Mubarak gets life in prison, not death
- In Cairo, cheers and fears over Mubarak sentencing
- NATO rescues doctors kidnapped by Taliban in 'extraordinarily brave' operation
- British monarchy's critics face uphill battle during jubilee
- Mourning the loss of more lives in Syria
Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world
Leave a Comment:
God save the Queen. She ain't no human being.
You're wrong about your mom.
That's just your opinion, dillweed. Consequently, it is meaningless. Just like all your opinions.
God save the queen
She ain't no human being
There is no future
In England's dreaming
Your mom did not raise a fool she raised an f'n idiot. Did harry wear his Nazi outfit to the party to impress his grandma. i am sure his great grandfather would have loved to see him wear the outfit.
Hey dickweed publish your name and address I'd love to meet you and convince you otherwise xxx
All toffee-toothed fools hail the head limey figure of devious rule and oppression; leading that evil monarchy of incestuous relations and prudence!
"All toffee-toothed fools hail the head limey figure of devious rule and oppression; leading that evil monarchy of incestuous relations and prudence!"
It's Sunday morning, your daddy is sleeping in, and contrary to his explicit instructions, you're using the "big boy" computer in his home office. Aren't you something.
God Save the Queen! The world is a bit more interesting and civil thanks to the British Royal family. We all need more happy celebrations like this jubilee. Best wishes to Queen Elizabeth!
lol... typical American reporting! I am watching the event live now and it's cloudy, but not raining. This article was written before or just as the event began. (It's 3 pm GMT now, the pageant started at 2...). American news reporting love to put a negative spin on anything British.
Hi there. The reporting is all coming from the event itself here in London. I can assure you the dry spots are few and far between!
well... yes, it's raining now (4:30 pm GMT)... but the article posted earlier (2 pm GMT) when it wasn't raining... and it's clearly written in the past tense... as if and for when Americans wake up and read the news on their Sunday morning. Thanks for replying, but I still caught ya.
What media are you talking about? American media love the UK and everything English. Rupert Murdoch is a horrible monster, but he is not England or the American Media, so get your facts straight about some of the people who love England most, the Americans and our media.
Speak for yourself Raoul-703978-
What media are you talking about? American media love the UK and everything English. Rupert Murdoch is a horrible monster, but he is not England or the American Media, so get your facts straight about some of the people who love England most, the Americans and our media.
I am sick of listening to these anchors on American TV, using British English, spot on, straight away and knickers! Wonder why they can't find work or want to work in the OWN Country, hmmm....Plus, the majority do not know how to pronunounce words properly. Their vowel system is not that different from American English-British speakers use "f" for "th", the word "idea", does not end in an "r" any way you look at it.
Perhaps, but most Americans couldn't care less about this incestuous fluff.
As a second generation Brit, perhaps I have a somewhat skewed perspective. But I've never heard ANY American say anything bad about Her Majesty. (Perhaps they just know better than to say such things in my presence? Who knows.)
It may be a bit of an overstatement to say that "Americans love the UK and everything British" -- most Americans have never been to Britain, despite the fact that the majority of them are descended from Brits. But the "special relationship" does mean something. There are no two nations on Earth that have a closer bond. If any two nations could be said to be brothers, it is the UK and the US. How many Americans died in WWII to come to Britain's aid (albeit a bit later than they should have done)? How much do we owe the British people, in turn, for following us into our foolish misadventure in Iraq? How many Brits still fight by our side in Afghanistan, while the rest of the world has turned away with a nervous cough?
I hope it will never change. More than that -- I KNOW it will never change. We are bound together. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. But like any family bond, we will hold onto it, for better or worse. The truth is, If Cameron announced an invasion of France tomorrow, American planes would be bombing Paris next week. (Not that either of our countries would want to do such a thing, lol.) I'd have it no other way. All of us, on both sides of the pond, should treasure our "special relationship." No other nations have what we have. We should all take a moment to reflect on that.
God bless America, and God save the Queen.
Just my two cents, for what it's worth.
I believe the only special bond we have with the UK is the one we celebrate on the 4th of July... nothing else (including saving your a.. during WW2) comes close...
Wow, Mario. 240 years and you're still stinging over the revolution? Talk about holding a grudge.
And let's not forget that American democracy was not something the founding fathers pulled out of their hats. They were British themselves, for the most part. And the American system of government they devised was based on centuries of BRITISH DEMOCRATIC TRADITION. From the Magna Carta to the Cromwell years, Britain has always been at the front of the line when it comes to freedom, liberty, and the accountability of government to the governed.
Oh, and by the way, I am an American.
I would love to see the old rip rowing a boat on the bottom of the Thames river while eating a bucket of shiiit!
America could not ask for better allies-England has given us GREAT LITERATURE, Great music (Beatles #1)Great History, Diana,the BBC.....Downton Abbey, The Royles (funniest show I've ever seen), Keeping Up Appearances, Alan Partridge and my all time favorite "AB FAB" The best actors-Diana Rigg anyone? I love all things English, always have and always will. God Bless the Queen!! and God Bless England & and our friends-the English people!!
This looks like a terroristic opportunity to me. I hope they took all the precautions that they could.
terrific live streaming
love the old dame :)
Does anyone with a brain actually care about this ?
It's Sunday and the brain rests, no ?
Seriously without the Queen's standards, UK civilization would trail behind USA.
Her standards like high taxes and being a leech on her "proud" subjects.
gruntersdad, except for the fact that the taxes she pays on her property and the positive economic impact the Royal family has far exceed the relatively minor funds paid by British subjects (who by the way vote on keeping the monarchy).
Yes. I am a Mensa member, and I care. I am British and she is my Queen.
same standards as obama
Now that's a boat parade! Sets the bar really high for our local July 4 boat parades. We have over 1 million boats registered in Michigan, we are second only to California, they bumped us out of the top spot. My middle kid was a coxswain on a university rowing crew, she would really enjoy seeing the rowers. The coxswains of the bigger boats have the best view; they are looking ahead, while the rowers are looking back. Love the group of boats flying the Jolly Roger, too! Good show!
Yes... great show! (No however's about it.)
Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world,
an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.
Edward
Gibbon
I think its just grand and i live in the USA! I have Irish and welsh family in the UK! And I love Elizabeth! She deserves this Jubilee! God save the Queen!
she deserves nothing
Royalty is a figment of the imagination of a weak-willed people.
Jealous that your family tree has no branches moron??
To some of the slovenly COWARDS who have posted here, if you were one tenth the person the Queen mum is, then maybe you would have done some thing with your pitiful little lives in making a contribution to humanity. To assail childish comments bent on attacking an elderly women who done nothing but give her life in the service and duty of her country. Reprehensible!
Great post. Don't think that all Americans are that way. I have seen many programs on her life and all the good she has done for her people. She said she would spend the rest of her life serving the people and she has.
1) Thank you, mvcharet, for your incisive rebuttal to the venom on this board.
2) Don't assume all these cretins are Americans. Some people - small minded, weak and pathetic people - take to the internet to say the cruel things they don't have the guts to say in real ife. They don't even mean most of what they say. It's just that in the real world, they're tiny little people who live in fear of gettiing their asses kicked. On the internet, they can pretend to be bigger and braver people than they really are. Trolls. Pure and simple. Beneath the contempt of the majority of the people on the Vine.
Go ahead and celebrate.
Thankfully, there are no more "subjects."
I doubt that.
Did it rain on her parade, what a shame and who cares. I wonder if she drank any scotch with water or does the old bag drink it straight. Did Chuck show up with the women he cheated on Diana. Chuckie needs glasses if he would rather bang the old hag versus Diana. Did Katie kick off her shoes and put on a mini skirt to shake her boogie all night.
These people look like they really know how to party without drugs.
The response you deserve would get me suspended from the Vine. Think really hard, and you just might pick up on some of the choice words I'm sending your way.
Brightest Blessings to the Queen and her family on this special day of celebration :D
Couldn’t see her in the picture ..What was she doing water skiing behind it?
Elizabeth and Phillip are 86 and 91 years of age, respectively ... I give them credit for standing throughout the flotilla procession, showing their appreciation to everyone present for this celebration.
For those people that comment in a negative manner, I guess you would rather harp about all the bad news going on around the world. This is a good news event, so perhaps you could just try to smile for a change. I'm not a big royal watcher but this is a once in a lifetime occurence and I say good on them.
QUOTE: "This is a good news event, so perhaps you could just try to smile for a change"
Oh, I'm smiling alright. US corporations are pumping millions of pounds into this celebration... I'm certain that we Americans will receive something in return.
Well after all. They helped to build our railroads didn't they.
ercillor: I think we get plenty out of it. Or did you forget that it's British soldiers who are fighting and dying by our side in Afghanistan?
PITY! This "Private" money could have been Better Spent!
Well, if it were your money, am betting you would not be spending it on what you think those who gave should have spent it on. Funny how we can try to tell others to do things we wouldn't do ourselves, isn't it.
Many more years, Your Majesty!
If you think this celebration is big, wait until she passes or abdicates the throne.
sadly I dont think she will abdicate, would you if you recevied over 700 million a year from the British Taxpayer? The Queen may be many things but stupid, she isn't! ha ha
The Civil List (money to the Queen ) was £40 milion in 2007. In the same year the Crown Estate - property owned by the Queen but held in trust for the British Public paid £200 million to the exchequer. In addition the Royal Family pay all the same taxes as the rest of British. I suggest you check your facts before posting such rubbish.
I think she will get caught tricking, and be shamed into retirement.
Queen Elizabeth you have yourself a grand time with your bad self ,, I still love ya baby !
In the 21st century cannot believe there are still royal families, Kings, Queens, Princes, Dukes or Dutches, who are pampered just because of their names or titles.....And they say people today are more intelligent than those of the past............
Poppycock, people do not become more intelligent over time, they become more educated by building upon knowledge from past generations. If anything, the level of intelligence has decreased as people rely more and more on computers and calculators to do their thinking for them............Maybe that is also why people still believe in boogie men, heroes and magic, while worshipping mortals of the past along with texts which tell short, un-ending stories of miracles and magic............
There are no Issac Newtons or Galileos around today. Kings and Queens belong in fairy tales, and Jesus had nothing whatsoever to do with Creationism or evolution, so why do some people still worship him ?
Thought I'd give y'all something to argue about on a slow news day.
Turn on the Science channel and you will see many programs that have today's Newtons and Galileo's.
I love "Through the Wormhole"!!
I remember an analysis of just how much money the Royals bring into the UK each year compared to the cost of keeping them. God save the Queen, long may she reign over us, gracious and glorious. I know, pitiful for a Yank but I did that from heart and memory rather than look it up on the Web. Hope I got it close as the Queen certainly deserves more glory than most of our leaders in recent years. There is something to be said for inherited power . . . you can trust them NOT to use power politics to keep themselves in power. And the British royalty especially has learned to keep their subjects to the front.
Troubles are worldwide and none are safe from predation. Much to be said for such a strong tradition. May there always be an England!
"The economy is in recession and people face deep austerity measures" and they are celebrating the vestiges of slavery and class repression.
Only a few people are, most real Brits with integrity are not.
iantroy -- If you'd been following the news, you'd know that the royal family have leaked their disapproval of the austerity measures on more than one occasion.
tracifrost -- If you think "most real Brits" are not celebrating this jubilee, I think you may also need to check the news a bit more often. If you had read the article, for instance, you'd know that there were a mere 100 protesters amongst 1.2 million celebrants along the Thames today. You might also know. if you kept up on such things, that royal family has enjoyed a consistent 80% approval rating for decades.
wow, you think our major holiday is a a way of holding a grudge? it must be hard for you on that day then... also, I guess those religious minorities running away from UK, so many hundreds of years ago across the Atlantic, must have not appreciated your government's tradition of democracy and freedom... poor misguided suckers... and then there are all the other nations across the globe that UK had colonized, used and abused at the hand of the monarchy you seem so fond of... gee!
it doesn't matter if you are an American or not... it't about where your loyalties are, and clearly US ain't it... I can't blame you for that, though...
I assume, Mario, that this was intended to be a response to my comment upthread?
Firstly, don't ever question my patriotism. My husband, my father, and both my grandparents are veterans. I honor their service, as I honor our proud nation.
Secondly, I think you need a history lesson. The "religious minorities running away from the UK" were not doing so because they were believers in religious freedom and the big, bad Brits were persecuting them. They came to America specifically because they did NOT believe in British religious tolerance. They came here to build what they called a "New Jerusalem" -- where everyone would be forced to toe the Puritan line. They were burning witches in New England centuries after "Old" England had abandoned the practice as barbaric.
They surely offer a course in American history at your local community college, likely at a reasonable price. I suggest you look into it.
I got all my american history knowledge from the History1 and a few other courses at the Mission Viejo, CA community college and the books they prescribed. My history professor was very passionate about the british/US relations. Didn't have anything good to say about your country, unfortunately. It's funny how they taught you completely different view at the facts at the place you got your education from. Good day.
Mario01, have no idea where you got the idea that the Puritans were KICKED out of England. Granted, their beliefs weren't well liked, but that was the reason they came here, as there was no one here to tell them they couldn't enforce their rules on all the people, all the time. Of course, they used their religion a lot like the upper crust in the Catholic church use theirs, as a means of keeping the powerful IN power, and everyone else under their thumbs. You might try asking why Rhode Island was separated from the rest of Massachusetts before there were any states. I will agree that the Church of England was very much THE church to belong to if you wanted to get ahead in England during that time, but they didn't force membership the way the Catholic church had years earlier. Might ask Henry VIII why that is so.
Worlds biggest criminal leading her gang; Give those stolen jewels back to Mother Africa!
Yeah, and the rest of the world as well.
Yeah, great idea! Let's send all the treasures of human history to the most instable parts of the world! Sure, the Taliban blew up the Buddhist temples. Sure, the museum in Bagdhad that held some of the most precious artifacts of human history was ransacked and looted. And sure, those things happen on a regular basis all over the world. But hey -- they'll never do it again, right?
These treasures belong to ALL of humanity, not one nation. The British museum is the safest place for them. I understand your repugnance toward colonialism and imperialism. But don't let that semtiment, however noble and well intentioned, allow us to throw away the shared heritage of 7,000 years of human culture.
Frankly, you "negative" speaking individuals havn't got one spark of human kindness. I truly believe that the Queen of England is a national treasure; not only in the UK but here in the US as well! She represents one of the very few countries in the world that hold freedom and democracy akin to us. I do hope her reign continues and after her passing, the Monarchy will carry on with its 1400+ year tradition. Prince Charles will become King and then Prince William. William will make a wonderful Monarch as well as his lovely wife, Kate! Long live the Queen and the Windsor family!!!
Grow up ...
So what in the hell did we have the Revolutionary War for!!! You know that little War we had against England for Independence..yeah that one. They are not a Democracy government they are a Parliamentary Monarchy. And we are a Republic Government, not a Democracy Government.
What in the heck are they teaching in our schools!!!!
1400+ years of tradition? What have you been for the last 100 years? Perhaps you meant to state that even though the tradition has been broken and or changed......?
@clb I thought the U.S had a revolution because of taxes and representation not because they "hate" the royal family or wanted to be an independent nation. Had the Brits comply to the Americans the U.S would have been a member of the commonwealth like the rest of us.
Where in my statement did I state they "hated the royal family"? Absolutely nowhere. My response was in response to her statement "democracy akin to us". Which is a totally nonfactual historical statement. Please don't be a pundit and take my statements out of context or slide your own words in there.
FYI the Revolutionary War isn't know as American War of Independence because we wanted to be dependent on Great Britain. One could sum it up as an the English Civil War fought on foreign Soil by 13 English Colonies who no longer wanted to be ruled by Great Britain for whatever reason, taxes, religion, poverty etc. The Patriots who made up the army for the 13 Colonies wanted one common thing, independence. And you can read that through the original documents and letters through that time period. Many starting to come only, most in NE states archive. But thanks to the French, some groups of American Indians and the different militias throughout unsettled land they didn't lose the war and gained their independence.
No they wouldn't have, because the reasons for leaving Great Britain in the first place were still there and those things would have not changed. Eventually the outcome would have been the same. Of all the 50 State in this country only 4 remain as Commonwealth States. Didn't quite spread across the country that well.
BTW star ..... do you know the Windors ... KNOW KATE ... for all you know she is a stone cold Bytch when not in front of the cameras ... same thing goes for all the fools who see someone on TV and then act like they know them and that they are lovely people ...
FACT is .. unless you personally know someone VERY WELL .. you havent got a clue what they are REALLY LIKE
F the windsors and their leeching ways
clb-462357, actually, it WAS about taxation without representation, and being FORCED to buy everything we got from English merchants, rather than directly from the sources. Surely you remember the Tea Party that preceded the political group of the same name, and what it was all about? When the people were being forced to buy their tea from British merchants, plus pay a rather exorbitant tax on outlandishly priced goods, they decided to unload the tea before it could be delivered to the warehouses where it could be counted as delivered and taxes charged. If the English Parliament and the king had listened when we complained and eased those taxes, and changed a few other rules, such as being forced to supply all a military unit's wants and needs while you "voluntarily" supplied them with room and board, things would have gone much differently.
God bless her Majesty and this is from a proud American from Florida. Try to honor a person who brought her country out of the most tragic wars facing Mankind. Treat her with respect as you would treat your own mother. Quit making the idiot comments and count your blessings that your country was not almost bombed back in the stone age by the Germans.