Thousands took the river banks yesterday as the Queen’s barge Gloriana passed through south Bucks on its way to the Magna Carta celebrations.

The large gilded rowing boat – privately commissioned as a tribute to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee – made its way through Marlow and Cookham on the first leg of a two-day trip.

Visitors to Marlow Town Regatta lined the Thames banks to get a glimpse of the 94-foot craft as racing stopped for the pageant to mark 800 years since the singing of the Magna Carta.

Marlow’s Paralympic champion Naomi Riches took an oar as one of the 18-strong team navigating the craft downstream.

And alongside honorary 'charter bearers' escorting a copy of the document, the Gloriana and its accompanying flotilla featured volunteers in medieval dress to mark the occasion.

The barge set off from Hurley, with stops at Bisham Abbey and Cookham before heading on to Maidenhead for the end of the first day’s relay.

Its ultimate destination is Runnymede, where the Royal family will gather for a special anniversary celebration at the site where the Magna Carta was made official and secured rights for the subjects of King John in 1215.