Family poling a traditional punt in the River Thames at Henley Royal Regatta

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The River Thames gets crammed at the time of Henley Royal Regatta which first started in 1829 when two teams from Oxford and Cambridge challenged each other to a race; so popular did the race become that Henley Regatta was inaugurated in 1839. Throughout Queen Victoria's reign the Regatta became a major social event and it still remains so particularly as part of the "Season". It was Prince Albert in 1851 who became the first royal patron of the regatta granting it the right to be called Henley Royal Regatta. It is a sporting event but moreover it is the place to dress up to see and be seen and perhaps it is one of the last preserves of an Edwardian Garden Party.

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Size: 3413px × 5120px
Location: River Thames Henley on Thames Oxfordshire South East England UK
Photo credit: © PCJones / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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