Until the middle of the nineteenth century the Sovereign regularly travelled on the river Thames, either on State occasions or between the royal palaces of Windsor, Westminster, Hampton Court Greenwich and the Tower of London.

The men who rowed the royal barges were known as Royal Watermen.

Although there are no royal State barges afloat the Queen still retains twenty four Royal Watermen under The Queen’s Bargemaster, one of the most ancient appointments in the Royal Household.

The Royal Watermen are chosen from the ranks of the Thames Watermen whose business today is manning tugs and launches. Each receives a royal warrant of appointment and is paid a modest sum of £3.50 a year.

The duties of the Royal Watermen are now purely ceremonial. They play a part in any state occasion on the Thames. They are also in attendance when The Queen’s guests travel on the river to Hampton Court or Greenwich.

Their onshore duties include acting as footmen on royal carriages during State visits, royal weddings and jubilees. At the coronation they walk in the procession behind The Queen’s Bargemaster. At the State Opening of Parliament The Queen’s Bargemaster and four Royal Watermen travel as boxmen on coaches, guarding the regalia when it is conveyed from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and back.