3 June 2012
Last updated at 23:21
School Reporters Harriet, 12, and Chloe, 13, from Esher High School for Girls "nervous but so excited" as they approached Chelsea Bridge to report on the Thames Pageant.
As soon as they arrived on the bridge Chloe and Harriet began speaking to spectators who were in high spirits despite the rain. They particularly liked this man's union flag umbrella!
This 84-year old lady told Harriet and Chloe that she couldn't wait to see the Queen despite being chilled to the bone. She said that she had been waiting on the bridge since 9am!
"People are singing and cheering, it is amazing" reported Harriet, as the manpowered boats approached. They were lead by the Gloriana, the largest rowed vessel in the UK.
Chloe and Harriet commentated on the whole pageant, and threw in as many facts about the boats as they could. Chloe also found time to speak live on the World Service!
Here comes Her Majesty! The girls were thrilled to see the Queen on the Spirit of Chartwell. Chloe said "I saw her really clearly, she was dressed in white"
The School Reporters also spotted Havengore in the Royal Squadron, carrying the Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Check out the hats!
The girls noticed that there were broadcasters from all over the world on their bridge. A reporter for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation told Harriet and Chloe "we have a royal family in Denmark as well so the interest in the Royals here is quite big"
In the 'Working boats' section of the flotilla the fire brigade threatened to soak onlookers with their water cannon. Chloe said "we're wet enough already!"
As the flotilla moved on, George and Aisha, both 16, from Lambeth Academy took over the reporting on Hungerford Bridge. George said "There is serious excitement in the air!"
George negotiated a great position on Hungerford Bridge. He said "In the background I can see Big Ben and the London Eye. They would normally be the main attraction but today they are just a backdrop."
Sue Ryland, who decorated Havengore, one of the boats in the Royal Squadron, told School Reporter Aisha: "I was absolutely ecstatic to be involved"
As excitement built the Commonwealth flag boats passed under the bridge.
The School Reporters spoke to fellow broadcasters on the bridge. A Japanese reporter told them "the world's media wanted to be here today".
Throughly wet but exhilarated, Lambeth's School Reporters handed over reporting reponsibility to the next team. They said: "It has been one amazing day!"
The Priory School reporting team Rebekah, Vaidehi and Kes took their places in the specially-accredited area for media on London Bridge for the third leg of reporting. They got in the mood for the arrival of the flotilla by waving their flags!
The Priory School Reporters began planning their introduction before the boats came into sight.
The flotilla included some amazing sights, such as this boat wearing a lovely pink hat. Her crew had told the BBC's Robert Hall earlier "it has been carefully designed not to blow off!"
Vaidehi put some questions to a Alejandro, a journalist from Mexico. He told her "I'm a big fan of the Queen. Her job isn't easy...but she does it perfectly well". Rebekah, being fluent in Spanish, helped to grab this interview!
5,500 police and 7,000 stewards were on duty. This policeman told Vaidehi he was used to big events - he worked on the Golden Jubilee too!
As the celebrations continued and the flotilla moved along the River Thames, Rebekah concluded that the Thames Pageant was an iconic moment to bring everyone together. "It was very British", she added, "even the weather!"
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