The Queen’s Gloriania will make its way along the Thames from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London today.

Crowds are expected to gather along the river at Hampton Court Palace from 10am on Sunday, May 11, as the royal barge is given a send off as it leads a fleet of traditional Thames rowing craft along the 25-mile route.

Well-wishers can enjoy a ceremonial display at the palace from 10am when an ancient piece of waterpipe, the stella, is passed to Her Majesty’s Watermen before it is rowed up to the Tower of London.

The waterpipe, which represents the power of London’s waterway, will be presented to the Tower of London’s governor when it arrives at about 4pm, where it will be accepted under his protection.

The fleet will stop en-route at Teddington, Richmond and Putney.