Close-up view of Gloriana, the British royal barge commissioned as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee
Image details
Contributor:
John Gaffen / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
CXYWP3File size:
28.1 MB (2 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3938 x 2498 px | 33.3 x 21.1 cm | 13.1 x 8.3 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
6 September 2012Location:
Olympic Park, Stratford, London.More information:
The Gloriana is a 28.6-metre-long (94 ft) British royal barge. She was privately commissioned as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee, and was the lead vessel in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Gloriana is a 28.6-metre-long (94 ft) rowing barge. It is powered by 18 oarsmen and inboard engine, and can carry an additional 34 passengers and crew.The project to build Gloriana was initiated by Lord Sterling, who stated he got the idea for a waterborne tribute to the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee from her eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales. Lord Sterling financed the estimated £500, 000 construction cost of the project. Additional backers included Sir Donald Gosling and Canadian billionaire Galen Weston. After leading the Jubilee parade Gloriana will be presented to the Queen as a gift. According to Lord Sterling, the design is inspired by Canaletto's London paintings of 18th-century barges. According to The Daily Telegraph, the design resembles the boat used by the Lord Mayor of London in the 1800s. Construction began in November 2011 at a site in Brentford, and was led by master-builder Mark Edwards. The materials used includes wood from sweet chestnut trees from Prince Charles's estate. The ornate prow sculptures, including Father Thames, are carved in Jesmonite and decorated with gold leaf.