Fifty years ago Queen Elizabeth II made an historic journey when she sailed down the River Thames to Magna Carta Island, stopping at Marlow on the way.

History is made

On October 18, 1974, history was made when Queen Elzabeth II became the first monarch to make a ‘royal progress’ twenty three miles down the river Thames from Hurley to Runnymede. There, she became the first monarch since King John did so in 1215 to step on the Magna Carta Island. This journey was to recognise the river boundary of the newly formed Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, a sort of ‘beating the bounds’ type of ceremony. It was also to allow her Majesty to greet her fellow citizens of the new Borough, which had been formed in April 1974.

At Hurley Lock the Queen first of all planted an oak tree to commemorate the day and was then piped aboard the gaily decked Royal launch Windsor Regent by Sea Cadets from Maidenhead. She wore a brilliant emerald-green coat and hat, which made a bright splash of colour in a dull, wet day. Once aboard, the Royal Boatman, who wore a striking scarlet uniform embossed with the Royal Monogram and Coat of Arms, cast the launch off. On the journey the Queen’s launch was led by a Thames Conservatory launch, and behind came a flotilla of boats carrying local dignitaries.

Although it rained incessantly throughout the trip thousands of people lined the river- bank to wave to the Queen, and to greet her with waves and flags when she stepped ashore at several points to meet local VIPs.

Bisham Abbey

The first stop was in the grounds of Bisham Abbey, then the location of the National Sports Centre. The Queen ignored the rain to walk about and chat with some 400 villagers, and children from the local primary school. A group of the children greeted her with a rendition of “Greensleeves” played on recorders and two children presented posies to her.

Brian Lee the Director of the Sports Centre (he was also the manager of Wycombe Wanderers) and Dr Roger Bannister Chairman of the Sports Centre, then escorted the Queen into the 13th century Great Hall of the Abbey. There she was shown many of the historic artefacts which have been accumulated since Bisham was the seat of the Knights Templar.

Further stops en-route

Crowds were lining the river-bank as the Queen’s launch proceeded towards Marlow and then passed under the suspension bridge, with the bells of All Saints Parish Church ringing a greeting-peal. At Marlow Lock the Queen did not step ashore as the town is in Buckinghamshire, but she was presented to the Town Mayor and the Town Clerk.

The flotilla of launches and boats then resumed its journey, passing through Bourne End before stopping at Cookham. Here the Queen strolled along the footpath chatting to somewhat drenched villagers and children, and local dignitaries were presented to her.

Then it was all-aboard again to continue the journey through Boulters Lock, where the flotilla was joined by crews from Maidenhead Rowing Club, to Maidenhead. Here the Windsor Regent moored at the High Steward’s barge near the bridge and the Queen went ashore to meet invited guests at Bridge Gardens before a formal reception on the High Steward’s barge.

After rejoining the royal launch the journey resumed before stopping at the Waterside Inn in Bray, where the Queen walked up the main street on a third walkabout. Lunch was then served on the next stage of the journey through Bray and Boveney Locks and onto Runnymede. On the Magna Carta Island the Queen planted a walnut tree to mark this occasion of the Royal River Tour.

Despite the rain, the Queen looked happy and relaxed every step of the way. One dignitary commented ‘I think Her Majesty enjoyed herself – she would not hear of any suggestion that she should stay in the boat and not get wet – she always got out to walk about, even when it was muddy!’

The exhausting day was not over for the Queen however as she was then due to travel by road to Windsor’s Guildhall for a reception.