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<bold>Without the River Thames, London would not be the city it is today. In past centuries it helped commerce and trade grow, but also was used to stage grand events and regal ceremonies.</bold>

Here - as final preparations are made for the 2012 Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday 3 June - take a look at what organisers have planned, and see some of the past extravaganzas that took place on the water.

<bold>Click bottom right for image information. All images subject to copyright. </bold>

<italic>Images courtesy: National Maritime Museum, Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, Getty Images and Press Association. Music from KPM Music. </italic>

<italic>Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 2 June 2012.</italic>

<bold>Related:</bold>

<link> <caption>Â鶹Éç News - The Diamond Jubilee</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17500000" platform="highweb"/> </link>

<link> <caption>Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant</caption> <url href="http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/" platform="highweb"/> </link>

<link> <caption>National Maritime Museum, Greenwich</caption> <url href="http://www.rmg.co.uk/" platform="highweb"/> </link>

<italic>The Â鶹Éç is not responsible for the content of external websites.</italic>

<bold>More audio slideshows:</bold>

<link> <firstCreated>2012-02-16T00:56:59+00:00</firstCreated> <lastUpdated>2012-02-16T00:56:59+00:00</lastUpdated> <caption>A history of British homes - Sarah Beeny</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17048794" platform="highweb"/> </link>

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