One of the paintings Pilgrim painted during the event

The participating artists were selected by the BBC to paint together on the Millennium Bridge on Sunday, June 3, as the flotilla of boats passed by in much the same way they did in the 18th century, when Canaletto recorded the scene in a large painting. The artists were chosen to represent a range of artistic media and styles; they were professional, semi-professional, students, and amateurs who ranged in age from 19 to 70. The BBC broadcast live coverage during the afternoon festivities.

"Well, I didn't actually make it on air, but in fairness the weather was so bad it was almost beyond the point of being able to do anything on the bridge, let alone paint and do any filming!" Pilgrim wrote on his blog (http://davidpilgrimart.blogspot.com). "The last 2-3 hours was unbelievable in terms of the rain but I thought what the heck … royal pageants don't come along that often … just keep on painting!

Artists invited by the BBC at work along Millennium Bridge

"I had some trouble with the easel given to us (the lower ledge was at a fixed height), so I ended up bending forwards all day and trying to stop the wind blowing my board into the palette with bits of masking tape. I was also trying to hold up my broken easel umbrella, which was practically useless in the wind. Tricky! By the end of the day I wasn't sure whether it was medium or water in my dippers. I regularly had to drip water off the palette and by 5pm the paint refused to stick to anything."

Another of Pilgrim's paintings showing the crowds

Several major exhibitions were also organized as part of the Jubilee Celebration. The Royal Collection mounted exhibitions of artwork owned by the queen at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and a touring exhibition to five UK venues to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The Thames on Lord Mayor's Day by Canaletto (1697-1768), which partially inspired the flotilla of boats during the recent Diamond Jubilee celebration

An exhibition of some of the finest treasures from the Royal Collection will be on display at the Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, in 2012. Royal Treasures: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration reflects the tastes of monarchs and other members of the royal family who have shaped one of the world's great art collections. The selection of 100 outstanding works has been made across the entire breadth of the Royal Collection, from eight royal residences and more than five centuries of collecting, and includes paintings, drawings, miniatures, watercolors, manuscripts, furniture, sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry.  Highlights include paintings by Rembrandt, Canaletto, and Monet; drawings by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Holbein; and Imperial Easter Eggs by FabergĂ©.  Most of the works will be shown in Scotland for the first time.