The Gloriana

The one thing that strikes you when you see the 8ft Gloriana rowing barge is the striking Gold used on the Gloriana. Did you know she’s covered in 23.5-carat gold leaf? It is unusual for any royal vessel to be this bling, but the Queen or other royal family members didn’t commission the Gloriana. It was gifted to her by a generous donor.

We will never know what Queen Elizabeth II thought about the gift, but she did name it Gloriana. She was also gracious enough to board it with her family and sail along the River Thames as part of a flotilla of boats to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. The weather wasn’t kind that day, but the Queen, being the Queen, ‘got on with it’.

The Gloriana

She looks like an elongated Gondola, and if you go to St Katherine’s Dock, you’ll see her moored in the West Basin. She is a resident Berth holder, so you can expect to see her there from April to November. She spends the winter months in the PLA Yard in Denton. Apart from the Gold, the Gloriana is beautifully designed. She’s made of shiny marine plywood planks on oak ribs and sweet chestnut flooring.

Gloriana’s design and build resonated with traditional Viking boat construction and other royal state barges from the 17th and 18th centuries. It’s hardly surprising that it cost £2 million and took five months to build. The Gloriana was launched in 2012. It is also the only barge built for the Royal family in 100 years.

Who Paid for It?

It was privately funded, and no public money was used for its build or maintenance. Lord Sterling of Plaistow, the Conservative peer, was adamant that something special be done to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne. He chose to fund the project privately. He initiated and largely financed the construction of the Gloriana.

Some other private individuals and organisations also contributed to the project. Today, the maintenance and operational costs of the Gloriana are managed by a charitable trust, which relies on private donations and support.

Legacy

The Queen specifically asked Lord Stirling to retain Gloriana and approved the barge to promote the better use of the River Thames. It is being used for Royal charitable events and activities involving young people. The Queen was a great advocate for helping young people achieve their goals and aspirations, so it’s befitting that the Gloriana be used for such causes.

The Gloriana has many symbolic meanings. She also celebrates the Commonwealth, which the Queen was head of. The crests of the sixteen commonwealth countries adorn the outside of the Coach.

Gloriana and the 21st Century

She attends between 10-20 events each year. The Trust organises events, and Gloriana is invited to participate. Rowers can request her at school. There’s a special form that needs to be filled out.

She takes 18 rowers, one Coxwain, two deck crew, and one Class V Skipper. Gloriana does have a motor engine and can go up to 3-4 Knots speed. However, the motor is not used when there are rowers. She can carry up to 30 passengers.

Gloriana

The Gloriana might look like a bling boat and is uncharacteristic of the Royal family, who tend to shun extravagant and ostentatious displays of wealth. But the Gloriana is an inspiration for national pride. It also showcases the traditional British boat-building and craftsmanship.

I believe this is very important as it encourages people, especially young people, to engage with the River Thames and the sport of rowing. Rowing is a prominent sport in the U.K.

Last Respects

The Gloriana paid her final respects to Queen Elizabeth upon her death. She was clad in black, and the oars were tossed into the River in a sign of respect as Queen Elizabeth II made her final journey to Windsor Castle.

As always, thank you for your attention.

Best wishes