The gold state coach that the Queen travelled in for her coronation on Tuesday made its first appearance on the streets of London for 20 years, as preparations for the Platinum Jubilee gathered pace.
The carriage will have a starring role in the Pageant on Sunday, which will be the finale of four days of celebrations.
Early on Tuesday, it was drawn through the city by eight Windsor Grey horses in a rehearsal for the spectacular procession.
Personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force marched through the streets from 4.30am in preparation for the huge parade.
Troops carrying flags of Commonwealth nations were seen down The Mall, while members of the Household Cavalry were photographed in Parliament Square. Made of giltwood, a layer of gold leaf over wood, the four-tonne carriage was commissioned in 1760.
It is only ever used at a walking pace because of its weight and age, and can only carry the sovereign. However, unlike in 1953 when she travelled in it to be crowned, the Queen will not be on board on Sunday.
Instead it has been fitted with advanced technology which will allow archive footage of a young Queen waving from its windows on her Coronation Day to be screened on the remodelled windows. The Gold State Coach last made an appearance on the streets for the Golden Jubilee in 2002.
More than 10,000 performers are set to take part in the Pageant and it is hoped the 96-year-old monarch will appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony afterwards to see a musical finale of Ed Sheeran singing the national anthem with a choir made up of nearly 200 celebrities.
The four days of Jubilee celebrations kick off on Thursday, with the Trooping the Colour.
Meanwhile, the Queen will send members of the royal family across the home nations this week to celebrate her milestone.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Wales, while Princess Anne will head to Scotland, and Prince Edward and his wife Sophie will go to Northern Ireland.
