The series of parades, which wrap up the Jubilee festivities, will end with a spectacular flypast of 26 RAF aircraft.

On the ground, about 20,000 people from around the UK and Commonwealth will take part in six parades, kicking off at 1345 BST.

They will represent all the far-flung corners under the Queen's dominion - diverse in culture, creed, background, age and race .

What's on and when

1345: Notting Hill Carnival Procession 1430: Children's Procession 1500: Gospel Choir Procession 1545: The Queen arrives at Queen Victoria Memorial. Service Procession starts 1615: The 50 years procession 1635: Commonwealth Procession 1725: Balcony flags hanging 1740: RAF flypast Times are estimated

Leading from the front - and the Trafalgar Square end of the Mall - will be a Notting Hill Carnival procession.

It will be the first time that the annual festival has been celebrated outside the streets of west London.

About 2,500 people will be involved in what is traditionally a shimmering river of sound and colour.

Next in line is the children's procession, which will show off the singing and dancing talents of 1,000 children coached by the Chicken Shed Theatre Group.

And adding a note of wonder for the first stage of the procession will be the largest ever choir of gospel singers.

Notting Hill: Diversity on parade

Five thousand people led by Patti Boulaye will give the Queen a rousing chorus for her appearance at the Queen Victoria memorial at 1545.

Her appearance with the Duke of Edinburgh will be the cue for the second stage which begins with a procession to honour those behind the services that keep the country ticking, such as the fire brigade, police, St John's Ambulance, and defended, such as the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.

But also look out for other uniformed outfits such as the Boys Brigades and Girl Guides.

And at 1615, for those who prefer a different kind of uniform, come the Hell's Angels.

Fifty bikers on machines reflecting the past 50 years of the Queen's reign, will roll down the Mall in a keynote expression of the diversity of the event.

Famous faces

Stunt riders, stilt walkers and five decades of vehicles will add an extra dimension to more floats, capturing the past 50 years in music, fashion and the arts and sciences.