Thousands cheer Queen's Diamond Jubilee river pageant

London, June 3 (IANS) The Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee River Pageant concluded Sunday as a world record-beating 1,000-strong flotilla passed under the Tower Bridge here with hundreds of thousands of people cheering along the Thames.

People crowded the Thames river's shoreline to watch the pageant organised to celebrate the Queen's 60 years on the throne.

The belfry, carrying The Royal Jubilee Bells was the first vessel, followed by the million-pound row barge Gloriana, the new Royal vessel, led by Olympic gold medallists Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sir Steve Redgrave, rowing with 16 others, Daily Mail reported.

A 41-gun salute was given from the Tower of London, the historic castle on the north bank of the Thames, while thousands of people cheered on the banks of the river despite the wet weather.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry watched Sunday's proceedings from the Royal barge which formed part of a flotilla of 1,000 boats.

Just after 2 p.m. over a thousand vessels set off in wave after wave of tugs, steamers, pleasure cruisers, dragon boats and kayaks with the Queen travelling at its heart.

The river-borne event was one of the highlights of the four-day Diamond Jubilee weekend and spectators refused to let the weather dampen their spirits.

The flypast finale to the Thames River Pageant, however, had to be cancelled following inclement weather.