The Thames A Royal River

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE HISTORIC LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN THE RIVER THAMES AND THE BRITISH MONARCHY…

The 2020 New Year’s Eve celebrations in London were far from normal in the year of the pandemic. Usually, London’s streets are filled with crowds, the pubs are full to bursting and groups come together to ring in the New Year watching the fireworks display over the Thames…

This time there were no crowds or pub-goers, but one tradition did remain - an impressive fireworks display which took place over the River Thames, shifted a fair way down the river from the London Eye to the O2. It included tributes to the NHS and notable figures from the year of Covid-19.

It’s no surprise that the Thames has become the focal point for London’s New Year celebrations. It’s England’s longest river, starting as a small trickle in the Cotswolds and travelling over 210 miles through the heart of some of England’s most picturesque towns, right into the centre of London and eventually, out into the North Sea.

Aside from the New Year firework displays, which have only been held there on a regular basis since 2002, it has been the setting for many grand Royal pageants throughout history.