Olympic Torch last leg complete
On the final day of the Olympic Torch relay, the flame visited Hampton Court Palace and travelled on the royal rowbarge Gloriana. It will then be kept at City Hall before its appearance at the opening ceremony, completing its 8,000 mile journey.
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Olympic Torch relay's penultimate day in pictures
Olympic flame sails down Thames towards Olympic stadium
The Olympic flame sailed down the river Thames this morning to Tower Bridge.
Olympic flame completes Gloriana journey down Thames
The sun shone for the Olympic flame today as it completed its journey on the Gloriana on the final leg of its 70-day, 8,000-mile journey around the United Kingdom ahead of tonight's opening ceremony.
The royal rowbarge led a flotilla of more than 50 boats down the Thames. Flotilla organiser Malcolm Knight declared "mission accomplished" on his loudspeaker as the boats arrive at Tower Bridge. He said:
"It was marvellous, absolutely marvellous. The whole thing went fantastically, there were boats everywhere and the banks were lined with thousands of people.[...] It's a great way to bring the flame into central London, using the highway of London."
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'Over 14 million people went to see Olympic flame'
The Olympic Cabinet Committee have reported today that the Olympic opening ceremony will be one of the "biggest diplomatic events" ever in the UK. Discussing the final preparations for the Games, the Committee concluded:
- Approximately 14.3 million people have lined the streets to see the Olympic Flame. The Flame today travels on the River Thames between Hampton Court and London Bridge.
- 24,657 Games Family members have now arrived in the UK (including just over 7,000 athletes).
Olympic Torch sails past the House of Parliament
The Olympic Torch made its way down the River Thames today in the final leg of the relay. The Queen's royal barge, the Gloriana, sailed past the Houses of Parliament, with a flotilla of smaller boats.
Olympic flame heads down the Thames in royal barge
Sir Matthew Pinsent: 'Having a small part in the Olympics is lovely'
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent has told ITV News that carrying an Olympic Torch from the UK was "lovely". Sir Pinsent has carried the torch twice before in Canada and Greece.
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James Cracknell: 'Olympic Games will be brilliant'
The Olympic Torch made its way down the Thames today as it heads towards the Olympic Stadium.
One of the rowers is former Olympian James Cracknell, who said he was looking forward to the Games, saying they will be "brilliant", and that people had "no idea what to expect".
Olympic flotilla travels down the Thames
The Olympic Torch is travelling down the Thames on the Queen's royal rowbarge the 'Gloriana'. It is leading a mini flotilla of boats from across the UK.
It will arrive at Tower Bridge later today. For more on this story go to ITV London.
Olympic Torch travels through Hampton Court Maze
The Olympic torch has set off on the Gloriana on the final leg of its 70-day, 8,000-mile journey around the United Kingdom ahead of tonight's opening ceremony.
Nine torchbearers ran in relay through the grounds of Hampton Court this morning, including around its famous hedge maze.
Olympic torch sails down the Thames on the Gloriana
The Olympic torch has set off down the Thames on the Gloriana on the final leg of its 70-day, 8,000 mile journey.
The £1 million Gloriana is being rowed by 16 oarsmen and women and is leading a mini flotilla of boats from across the UK.
Seven young torchbearers on board will carry the flame for approximately eight minutes each as the procession makes its way to Tower Bridge.