THE BRITISH MONARCHY isn’t exactly known for keeping things low-key and the plans for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee are proving what last year’s royal wedding told us – the Windsors know how to throw a party.

The organisers of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant revealed today that there will be 1,000 boats joining the river pageant on 3 June as part of a weekend of public celebrations.

The flotilla will be over seven miles long and the boats will travel 25 miles, passing under a total of 14 bridges. It will be led by the hand-built, 88-foot row-barge, the Gloriana.

The Queen and family will be travelling on the Royal Barge in the third section of the flotilla.

Pageant Master Adrian Evans said the royal barge “must be a jewel – the most magnificent vessel in the flotilla.” It will be decorated with red, gold and purple flowers from the royal gardens.

Even kayaks and canoes will be decorated, the organisers of the opulent procession said.

About 20,000 people will be on the water for the 90 minute parade, including a number of boats which will be reserved for public participants (actual civilians!)

Both modern and classical music will be played along the way and Patron of the Pageant is the Prince Charles of Wales.

Millions of well-wishers, including many foreign tourists, are expected to turn out for the event. It will also be broadcast live on television stations around the world.

The whole affair is being privately funded by a trust raising money for a variety of jubilee events. There will be a four-day holiday weekend from the 2 to 5 June.

Here’s a taster of what we can expect to see:

Millions of us tuned in for the Royal Wedding last year but will you be watching this on 3 June?