The Navy stars of the Thames Pageant 30.05.12
10The Royal Navy has been rehearsing their moves ahead of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
The Mine Hunter HMS Hurworth played the part of the Royal Barge to help practise for the first ever-maritime guard of honour formation before the big day.
On Sunday around 1100 ships from the UK and the Commonwealth will muster on the Thames to sail with the Royal Barge from Battersea Bridge to Tower Bridge.
The Navy will be taking centre-stage during the pageant but there is a supporting role for the Army, as the Royal Barge enters the City of London waters the Queen will be greeted by a ceremonial gun salute fired from the Tower of London.
The Royal Barge, Spirit of Chartwell is going to be moored with a special viewing platform for the Queen to inspect the 1000 strong flotilla of ships as it sails past her and underneath Tower Bridge.
The Pageant will conclude with a thrilling fly-past led by a Second World War Swordfish bi-plane, followed by a fleet of Merlin, Lynx and Seaking Helicopters flying in Diamond 9 formation at just 750ft.
Accompanying the Royal Barge with her Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh onboard, down the River Thames, will be the Royal Barge Honour Guard.
Today 2 P2000 patrol boats, 2 Picket Boats and 2 Pacific 24 Ribs from HMS Diamond joined 4 Off-shore Raiding Craft from 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines to demonstrate exactly what the public can expect to see from the senior service on Sunday.
The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm will also be playing an important part on the day, with a spectacular helicopter "Diamond 9" formation flypast providing the finale led by a Second World War Swordfish bi-plane.