Gibraltar Diamond Jubilee Flotilla

Gibraltar Diamond Jubilee Flotilla
A flotilla of more than 150 boats sailing around Gibraltar's Europa Point to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Observed by	Gibraltar
Significance	Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II
Date	4 June 2012
Frequency	once

The Gibraltar Diamond Jubilee Flotilla, inspired by the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant held in England the previous day, celebrated the Queen's sixty years of reign. The parade of vessels around the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar on 4 June 2012 was one of numerous events scheduled that year in honor of the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The flotilla was hosted by Ocean Village Marina, a marina north of Gibraltar Harbour, on the Westside of Gibraltar. Participation in the event exceeded expectations, with 161 vessels in the flotilla.

The Gibraltar Diamond Jubilee Flotilla, celebrating Queen Elizabeth's sixty years of reign, was inspired by the event that was scheduled for 3 June 2012 on the River Thames in London, England. On that Sunday, more than 1,000 vessels assembled in a flotilla, the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Despite the inclement weather, throngs of spectators congregated along the bridges and banks of the Thames to witness the seven mile flotilla that extended from Battersea to Tower Bridge. Many also watched the event that was televised on giant screens across the country. The star of the flotilla was the Royal Barge, the Spirit of Chartwell, which was festooned with numerous flowers. Aboard the vessel were Queen Elizabeth; Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; Charles, Prince of Wales; his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; and Prince Harry. The festivities ended with fireworks from Tower Bridge, and the National Anthem performed by the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The flotilla also represented the first public event of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. The goal of the trust is fundraising for worthy causes in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, particularly those that benefit the young.