By Jenny Suo and 3 News Europe correspondent Melissa Davies
More than 1 million people lined the Thames in London to watch a flotilla of 1000 vessels sail down the river for Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.
While the rain also came out to play, well-wishers were determined to enjoy the biggest party of the Queen's 60-year reign.
It was a day when subtlety was thrown overboard.
More than 1000 dotted the river Thames, ready to sail alongside the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee river pageant.
The bells marked the beginning of the procession, and a sight not seen in London for 350 years.
Along the river, an estimated 1.2 million people gathered to witness the event despite the wet and gloomy weather.
Even the royals couldn't escape the chilly day, with the Queen herself wrapped up warm in white, so she could be easily spotted among the Navy uniforms.
As Tower Bridge opened to make way for the Monarch, so too did the heavens, as rain poured down, but spectators kept calm and the extravaganza carried on.
The rain didn't seem to dampen the Queen's mood.
The national anthem ended the day soaked in national pride.
The party extended beyond central London – 9000 street parties took place to mark the jubilee.
The biggest was held in Greenwich, in southeast London.
In Piccadilly, Prince Charles and Camilla joined in the celebrations.
In Downing St, the Prime Minister had to move his street party inside.
“That’s the British summertime for you,” said David Cameron. “We had a great street party inside Downing St rather than outside.”
The festivities aren’t over yet, with a concert and beacon lighting ceremony still to take place.
Dozens of rowers in the Queen's Diamond jubilee pageant, including a New Zealander, caught hypothermia during the seven hours they were on the River Thames.
Organisers had been worried the choppy tide might be a safety risk for the Kiwi crews, but it was the cold conditions that caused trouble in the end.
But it was not enough though to stop a small but strong New Zealand contingent from taking part.
3 News