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Queen's diamond jubilee: pageants, parties and more - live Queen's diamond jubilee: pageants, parties and more - live
(40 minutes later)
1.10pm: The heir to the throne has been exercising his vocal cords meanwhile:
impressed Charles and Camilla know words to 2nd verse of national anthem, as just sung at #jubilee street party
— caroline davies (@ccdavies) June 3, 2012
1.09pm: As today's pageant gets under way, here's a jolly snippet from the Guardian's John Vidal (who is currently on Albert bridge 10 feet above the royal barge) on the mastermind behind the spectacle:
Adrian Evans, the Queen's pageant master, who came up with the idea and devised the spectacle of a flotilla of 1,000 ships to accompany the Queen down the Thames, has his roots in anarchic French circus, avant-garde theatre groups, pyrotechynic extravaganzas and high-wire walks across the Thames.
As the worldwide promoter of French circus group Archaos in the late 1980s, Evans shocked audiences from London to Australia with Mad Max-style performers who rode motorbikes instead of horses, clowns who juggled chainsaws and naked trapeze artists. Archaos shows included fork lift trucks and Semtex explosions.
Most royal appointments are made from within a tight circle of courtiers and the armed services, but Evans was brought in, it is thought, to give theatrical life to traditionally staid royal pageants. It has taken more than one year to organise.
His unlikely rise from living in a showman's caravan on an industrial site in north London to officially greeting the Queen and Royal family before an audience of 100 million TV viewers for the the biggest event on the Thames in over 350 years, includes spells with radical theatre troupe Luniere and Son, and his day job , as producer of the Thames festival.
Evans, who is married to TV presenter and classical history specialist Bettany Hughes, last mnight said: 'This is tthe biggest thing I have ever done,' he said last night."
1.04pm: Caroline Davies reports now from outside city hall, where she said around 250 anti-monarchist protesters have gathered for a demonstration that officially started at midday:
They've come from all over the country. Waving placards reading 'Don't jubilee've it' and 'Republic Now', they listened as Republic campaign group chief executive Graham Smith said 'Be very proud of yourselves'.
It was the 'biggest republican gathering at a royal event,' he said.
'We will win this campaign,' he added, as a woman bedecked in red, white and blue walking past retorted 'no you bloody won't'.
Smith told the Guardian that the police had been 'very helpful'. Numbers are expected to grow much larger at the protest, which is by the Scoop amphitheatre near city hall. Human rights activist Peter Tatchell and newspaper columnist Joan Smith are addressing the protest later It is expected to be at its largest around 4pm as the royal barge passes by."
1.03pm: The No 10 Big Lunch is being moved doors it seems. Something of a metaphor perhaps for how the rain has recently been raining somewhat on David Cameron's political fortunes?
Photo: #diamondjubilee @thebiglunch moving the party inside - see more decorations number10.gov.uk/news/queens-di… twitter.com/Number10gov/st…
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) June 3, 2012
Still, Downing Street is taking today's festivities fairly seriously. From a Storify which has just gone up you can check out a special ice cream treat set up for guest arriving at No 10.
12.36pm: Sam Jones has a flavour of what he has come across along the Thames:12.36pm: Sam Jones has a flavour of what he has come across along the Thames:
Several Hello magazine-branded union flags are fluttering in the drizzly breeze on Chelsea bridge, which is already half-covered in collapsible picnic chairs. Several Hello! magazine-branded union flags are fluttering in the drizzly breeze on Chelsea bridge, which is already half-covered in collapsible picnic chairs.
Tea, rather than anything stronger, is the beverage of choice - not a huge surprise given the grotty weather.Tea, rather than anything stronger, is the beverage of choice - not a huge surprise given the grotty weather.
Below us, the Thames flows by, brown-grey as ever. The mood here could
not exactly be described as festive, yet many of those swaddled in plastic raincoats have the look of people determined to have a good time, rather than effortlessly having one.		Below us, the Thames flows by, brown-grey as ever. The mood here could
not exactly be described as festive, yet many of those swaddled in plastic raincoats have the look of people determined to have a good time, rather than effortlessly having one.
But it's still early in the day and, anyway, what could be more British than drinking tea, queuing and moaning about the climate? But it's still early in the day and, anyway, what could be more British than drinking tea, queuing and moaning about the climate"
Alastair Campbell doesn't like the look of those flags though:Alastair Campbell doesn't like the look of those flags though:
The Union Jacks with Hello and Ok mags advertising are naff in the extremeThe Union Jacks with Hello and Ok mags advertising are naff in the extreme
— Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) June 3, 2012— Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) June 3, 2012
12.20pm: Stephen Bates has an update from the Thames, where he is on board Broad Ambition:12.20pm: Stephen Bates has an update from the Thames, where he is on board Broad Ambition:
Rain now stopped but it is cold and blustery on the river. Waiting for scrutineers to give final all-clear for Broad Ambition to take part (they're visiting every boat to make sure they're still river-worthy and they even have breathalysers to check the skippers and navigators if they smell alcohol on their breath...)Rain now stopped but it is cold and blustery on the river. Waiting for scrutineers to give final all-clear for Broad Ambition to take part (they're visiting every boat to make sure they're still river-worthy and they even have breathalysers to check the skippers and navigators if they smell alcohol on their breath...)
We're due to cast off at 2.37pm.We're due to cast off at 2.37pm.
Slightly scary instruction for landlubbers like me: if you fall overboard the boat won't stop - that would cause chaos in the flotilla – you'll have to wait to be picked up by a boat coming up behind.Slightly scary instruction for landlubbers like me: if you fall overboard the boat won't stop - that would cause chaos in the flotilla – you'll have to wait to be picked up by a boat coming up behind.
A live webcam from Broad Amition is now also live so you can follow our progress downstream."A live webcam from Broad Amition is now also live so you can follow our progress downstream."
12.14pm: The jubilee has thrown the spotlight on some fairly extraordinary individuals, ranging from paralympians and cancer survivors to a 95-year-old Dunkirk veteran who is believed to be the oldest participant in today's flotilla.12.14pm: The jubilee has thrown the spotlight on some fairly extraordinary individuals, ranging from paralympians and cancer survivors to a 95-year-old Dunkirk veteran who is believed to be the oldest participant in today's flotilla.
Vic Viner, from Dorking, Surrey, is thought to be the sole survivor of the Royal Navy's 156-strong rescue operation at Dunkirk and appropriately, he will be aboard the Jacantha, one of the Dunkirk "little ships".Vic Viner, from Dorking, Surrey, is thought to be the sole survivor of the Royal Navy's 156-strong rescue operation at Dunkirk and appropriately, he will be aboard the Jacantha, one of the Dunkirk "little ships".
Memories of those terrible days remain undimmed for Viner, who gives talks to schools and clubs about his wartime experiences. He told the Guardian earlier this week that being invited to take part in the pageant "was a very great honour."Memories of those terrible days remain undimmed for Viner, who gives talks to schools and clubs about his wartime experiences. He told the Guardian earlier this week that being invited to take part in the pageant "was a very great honour."
12.11pm: Peter Walker has come up with what might be a fitting analogy:12.11pm: Peter Walker has come up with what might be a fitting analogy:
Lots of people sat on folding chairs wearing waterproofs eating their lunch early. Like Wimbledon without the tennis #jubileeLots of people sat on folding chairs wearing waterproofs eating their lunch early. Like Wimbledon without the tennis #jubilee
— peterwalker99 (@peterwalker99) June 3, 2012— peterwalker99 (@peterwalker99) June 3, 2012
12.06pm: If anyone looks to be in their element today, it's London's mayor, Boris Johnson, who has been popping up on broadcast coverage over the past hour fairly regularly.12.06pm: If anyone looks to be in their element today, it's London's mayor, Boris Johnson, who has been popping up on broadcast coverage over the past hour fairly regularly.
He's going to be joining some second-string royals, including the Duke of York, later on board the Havengore, which was used to transport Sir Winston Churchill's body along the Thames on the day of his state funeral in 1965. Would a Ken Livingstone mayoralty have been quite as enthusiastic?He's going to be joining some second-string royals, including the Duke of York, later on board the Havengore, which was used to transport Sir Winston Churchill's body along the Thames on the day of his state funeral in 1965. Would a Ken Livingstone mayoralty have been quite as enthusiastic?
11.58am: The Guardian's Peter Walker has been chatting to revellers while on his way to Blackfriars bridge on the Thames:11.58am: The Guardian's Peter Walker has been chatting to revellers while on his way to Blackfriars bridge on the Thames:
I asked one all-age group of 12 from the Isle of Wight ('We're still part of the kingdom') about their reasons for coming. These seemed more about wanting to join in a unifying, national event than specific love or loyalty for the Queen.I asked one all-age group of 12 from the Isle of Wight ('We're still part of the kingdom') about their reasons for coming. These seemed more about wanting to join in a unifying, national event than specific love or loyalty for the Queen.
'It's a way we mark the passage of time, these events, and how things change,' said Paul McLaren, like most of his party wearing a cardboard union flag bowler hat. 'Think back to the footage from 1952 - that's one of the ways we remember what things were like then. Of course, it's more modest this time as we've spent so much on the Olympics.''It's a way we mark the passage of time, these events, and how things change,' said Paul McLaren, like most of his party wearing a cardboard union flag bowler hat. 'Think back to the footage from 1952 - that's one of the ways we remember what things were like then. Of course, it's more modest this time as we've spent so much on the Olympics.'
The consensus was that while feelings towards the Queen and Prince Charles are warm but a bit tepid, there is much more connection felt with the next generation down.The consensus was that while feelings towards the Queen and Prince Charles are warm but a bit tepid, there is much more connection felt with the next generation down.
'William and Harry really feel like they're one of us,' said Sharon George. 'Of course, they're not, but they're better at pretending.'"'William and Harry really feel like they're one of us,' said Sharon George. 'Of course, they're not, but they're better at pretending.'"
11.51am: Another view on festivities elsewhere in the UK has been filed by Martin Wainwright, the Guardian's northern editor:11.51am: Another view on festivities elsewhere in the UK has been filed by Martin Wainwright, the Guardian's northern editor:
Steady rain in Yorkshire initially had the appearance of being set in for the day, with dull grey clouds low over the Pennines and sea frets or fogs along part of the coast. But things have been lightening up, and there's some hope that the Met Office forecast will prove pessimistic.Steady rain in Yorkshire initially had the appearance of being set in for the day, with dull grey clouds low over the Pennines and sea frets or fogs along part of the coast. But things have been lightening up, and there's some hope that the Met Office forecast will prove pessimistic.
More than 260 street parties are planned in Yorkshire and Humberside including four which are closing main roads in North Yorkshire for a fee of £300 a time. Parties in side roads are free. Last night, tents, gazebos and 'sun' umbrellas mushroomed in Leeds and Bradford suburbs; evidence that stoicism rather than cancellation is the order of the day.More than 260 street parties are planned in Yorkshire and Humberside including four which are closing main roads in North Yorkshire for a fee of £300 a time. Parties in side roads are free. Last night, tents, gazebos and 'sun' umbrellas mushroomed in Leeds and Bradford suburbs; evidence that stoicism rather than cancellation is the order of the day.
One of the best of the jubilee events in the region has already taken place, prudently opting for last week's warmer and sunnier weather.One of the best of the jubilee events in the region has already taken place, prudently opting for last week's warmer and sunnier weather.
A huge procession, overflowing with schoolchildren and applauded by local residents, wound through the Girlington area of Bradford, home of many British Asian families. At its head, waving from a car in monarchical style, were Karam and Katari Chand, aged 106 and 99, who have been married for 87 years and are the world's oldest married couple.A huge procession, overflowing with schoolchildren and applauded by local residents, wound through the Girlington area of Bradford, home of many British Asian families. At its head, waving from a car in monarchical style, were Karam and Katari Chand, aged 106 and 99, who have been married for 87 years and are the world's oldest married couple.
Bunting is everywhere in spite of the downpours and one of the main regional suppliers, Flying colours of Knaresborough, has taken on extra staff and run constant overtime to meet a fourfold rise in demand. The Bradford-based supermarket Morrison's has evidence that the cucumber sandwich, as royal a symbol as the corgi, is vying with the cupcake on party menus. In the last week, over 30,000 cucumbers were sold."Bunting is everywhere in spite of the downpours and one of the main regional suppliers, Flying colours of Knaresborough, has taken on extra staff and run constant overtime to meet a fourfold rise in demand. The Bradford-based supermarket Morrison's has evidence that the cucumber sandwich, as royal a symbol as the corgi, is vying with the cupcake on party menus. In the last week, over 30,000 cucumbers were sold."
11.45am: A little bit now on jubilee celebrations in Northern Ireland, where events coincide with the first day in office for Belfast's new 27-year-old lord mayor, and with the progress there of the Olympic torch relay.11.45am: A little bit now on jubilee celebrations in Northern Ireland, where events coincide with the first day in office for Belfast's new 27-year-old lord mayor, and with the progress there of the Olympic torch relay.
The Guardian's Ireland correspondent, Henry McDonald, reports that Gavin Robinson's first day as Belfast's first citizen will be dominated by diamond jubilee parties across the city.The Guardian's Ireland correspondent, Henry McDonald, reports that Gavin Robinson's first day as Belfast's first citizen will be dominated by diamond jubilee parties across the city.
The Democratic Unionist party councillor's first official engagement will be to attend a street party at Orangefield Park in east Belfast at 1pm. He will also host an afternoon tea party at Belfast city hall which will include couples celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries this year.The Democratic Unionist party councillor's first official engagement will be to attend a street party at Orangefield Park in east Belfast at 1pm. He will also host an afternoon tea party at Belfast city hall which will include couples celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries this year.
11.38am: My colleague Shiv Malik has spotted another interesting jubilee-related contribution also coming out of Bristol:11.38am: My colleague Shiv Malik has spotted another interesting jubilee-related contribution also coming out of Bristol:
The radical community group the People's Republic of Stokes Croft, famed in Bristol for their regenerative street artworks, have chipped in with their own take on the jubilee.The radical community group the People's Republic of Stokes Croft, famed in Bristol for their regenerative street artworks, have chipped in with their own take on the jubilee.
At their base in Stokes Croft they have a kiln where they keep a tradition of local pottery making alive. From those fires they have produced a set of fine china, mugs, plates and teapots "commemorating" the Queen's reign.At their base in Stokes Croft they have a kiln where they keep a tradition of local pottery making alive. From those fires they have produced a set of fine china, mugs, plates and teapots "commemorating" the Queen's reign.
A protest cuppa? What could be more British?A protest cuppa? What could be more British?
11.28am: Of course, we're not even half way through the jubilee, which started yesterday. Here's a picture gallery giving a flavour of some of Saturday's scenes.11.28am: Of course, we're not even half way through the jubilee, which started yesterday. Here's a picture gallery giving a flavour of some of Saturday's scenes.
It includes (above) what is thought to be a new piece by the street artist Banksy, which has appeared in Bristol.It includes (above) what is thought to be a new piece by the street artist Banksy, which has appeared in Bristol.
11.19am: Caroline Davies, another Guardian journalist who has chronicled the royal family over the years, is also out and about today. She tweets:11.19am: Caroline Davies, another Guardian journalist who has chronicled the royal family over the years, is also out and about today. She tweets:
At Tower Bridge the crowd is building up. People in rain ponchos and wrapped in flags. All seem to be in good spirits.#jubileeAt Tower Bridge the crowd is building up. People in rain ponchos and wrapped in flags. All seem to be in good spirits.#jubilee
— caroline davies (@ccdavies) June 3, 2012— caroline davies (@ccdavies) June 3, 2012
For other twitter coverage from the Thames, you can follow the Guardian's Peter Walker, Sam Jones, and Stephen Bates.For other twitter coverage from the Thames, you can follow the Guardian's Peter Walker, Sam Jones, and Stephen Bates.
11.14am: In weather terms, it seems the day may not be a washout after all. Jubilee revellers along the Thames have been offered a glimmer of hope that conditions may brighten this afternoon.11.14am: In weather terms, it seems the day may not be a washout after all. Jubilee revellers along the Thames have been offered a glimmer of hope that conditions may brighten this afternoon.
Matt Dobson, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, says:Matt Dobson, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, says:
London will see a lot of cloud today and rain showers throughout the day, although there should be a few bright spells. During the Thames pageant there could be heavy showers over London with some dry interludes. Temperatures may get up to maximums of 15C but that is still quite cool for this time of year.London will see a lot of cloud today and rain showers throughout the day, although there should be a few bright spells. During the Thames pageant there could be heavy showers over London with some dry interludes. Temperatures may get up to maximums of 15C but that is still quite cool for this time of year.
People should definitely take a brolly and a mac if they are going to be out and about celebrating the Jubilee."People should definitely take a brolly and a mac if they are going to be out and about celebrating the Jubilee."
And those attending street parties up and down the country are also expected to have a challenging day with temperatures below what is usual for this time of year.And those attending street parties up and down the country are also expected to have a challenging day with temperatures below what is usual for this time of year.
Street parties in the rest of the country are facing similar conditions, with southern England set to see quite heavy showers and few sunny spells.Street parties in the rest of the country are facing similar conditions, with southern England set to see quite heavy showers and few sunny spells.
Temperatures across Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and the north of England will see a maximum of between 8C and 12C, with rain in places.Temperatures across Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and the north of England will see a maximum of between 8C and 12C, with rain in places.
In Northern Ireland, Scotland and the far north of England the day will be cool, bright and breezy with sunshine interrupted by scattered showers.In Northern Ireland, Scotland and the far north of England the day will be cool, bright and breezy with sunshine interrupted by scattered showers.
11.04am: Here's a piece to give you a bit of a quick broad overview of what lies ahead today.11.04am: Here's a piece to give you a bit of a quick broad overview of what lies ahead today.
More than 20,000 people will be on the boats, which are expected to be watched by at least 1 million people lining the river's banks and bridges as central London comes to a virtual standstill.More than 20,000 people will be on the boats, which are expected to be watched by at least 1 million people lining the river's banks and bridges as central London comes to a virtual standstill.
Up to 50 large screens have been placed along the river for people to view the flotilla, which sets off from Putney at 2.30pm and finishes at Tower Bridge at 5.30pm when the last of the vessels arrive.Up to 50 large screens have been placed along the river for people to view the flotilla, which sets off from Putney at 2.30pm and finishes at Tower Bridge at 5.30pm when the last of the vessels arrive.
10.59am: A team of Guardian reporters are out and about today, and will be filing reports from vantage points along the Thames and outside of London.

Stephen Bates, a veteran reporter on all matters royal for the Guardian, might have the best position of all. He's on board Broad Ambition, a lovingly restored Norfolk Broads cruiser, which will be in the historic boats section of the Thames flotilla. His first call from the river came through earlier:		10.59am: A team of Guardian reporters are out and about today, and will be filing reports from vantage points along the Thames and outside of London.

Stephen Bates, a veteran reporter on all matters royal for the Guardian, might have the best position of all. He's on board Broad Ambition, a lovingly restored Norfolk Broads cruiser, which will be in the historic boats section of the Thames flotilla. His first call from the river came through earlier:
We're currently moored above Putney: came aboard before 8am though we won't be underway until 2pm. In our part of the river we're surrounded by little boats, old Royal Navy craft, cruisers, river boats, even gondolas.We're currently moored above Putney: came aboard before 8am though we won't be underway until 2pm. In our part of the river we're surrounded by little boats, old Royal Navy craft, cruisers, river boats, even gondolas.
Broad Ambition was rescued in a derelict state by some retired Navy men who spent five years (and £80,000) lovingly restoring it.Broad Ambition was rescued in a derelict state by some retired Navy men who spent five years (and £80,000) lovingly restoring it.
They're all aboard. We're all going to dress in 1960s gear in keeping with the boat and spirit of the occasion: white polonecks and beige slacks, like superannuated Monkees. Or, in my case, a fat mushroom…"They're all aboard. We're all going to dress in 1960s gear in keeping with the boat and spirit of the occasion: white polonecks and beige slacks, like superannuated Monkees. Or, in my case, a fat mushroom…"
10.48am: Good morning and welcome to the Guardian's live blog coverage of the Queen's diamond jubilee, including today's centrepiece event, a flotilla of 1,000 boats that will make its way down the river Thames, led by the Queen's barge.10.48am: Good morning and welcome to the Guardian's live blog coverage of the Queen's diamond jubilee, including today's centrepiece event, a flotilla of 1,000 boats that will make its way down the river Thames, led by the Queen's barge.
We're also going to report on events around the UK, particularly the thousands of street parties taking place alongside The Big Lunch, a charity initiative designed to get communities to spend time together.We're also going to report on events around the UK, particularly the thousands of street parties taking place alongside The Big Lunch, a charity initiative designed to get communities to spend time together.
As forecast, the heavens have opened and it's a pretty damp day out there so far, not that rain seems to have deterred many of the Queen's admirers who are are already beginning to line the banks of the Thames before the nautical parade.As forecast, the heavens have opened and it's a pretty damp day out there so far, not that rain seems to have deterred many of the Queen's admirers who are are already beginning to line the banks of the Thames before the nautical parade.
Of course, not everyone is quite so enthusiastic about today. Republic, the anti-monarchy group, has promised the "biggest anti-monarchy protest in living memory" at the river pageant.Of course, not everyone is quite so enthusiastic about today. Republic, the anti-monarchy group, has promised the "biggest anti-monarchy protest in living memory" at the river pageant.
So whether you're clad in all-weather gear and sat in a deckchair by the Thames, laying out Queen cakes under a tarpaulin at a street party, unfurling a republican banner or simply keeping abreast of the biggest news event of the weekend, feel free to contribute comments below and keep abreast of developments as they unfold.So whether you're clad in all-weather gear and sat in a deckchair by the Thames, laying out Queen cakes under a tarpaulin at a street party, unfurling a republican banner or simply keeping abreast of the biggest news event of the weekend, feel free to contribute comments below and keep abreast of developments as they unfold.
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