Starting from Hampton Court Palace, Olympic Rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent carried the Flame on to the Royal rowbarge, the Gloriana, named by Her Majesty as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The rowbarge was rowed down the Thames to Tower Bridge by 16 oarsmen and women including Olympic Rowers James Cracknell and Jonny Searle.
Once on board, Pinsent lit a ceremonial cauldron, which was used to light the Torches of seven young Torchbearers, in turn, who carried the Flame as it travelled down the river.
One of the Torchbearers aboard was Amber Charles, 22, from Newham, who played a key role in London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games seven years ago, presenting London’s proposal to stage the Games to members of the IOC at Lausanne in 2004.
The Flame will now remain out of public view until it appears at the Opening Ceremony.
Over the past 70 days, more than 13 million people have lined the streets of the UK to show their support for the Torch Relay. LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: 'Thank you to each and every person for giving the Olympic Flame such a magnificent welcome and celebrating the best of the UK with us. Together we have given the London 2012 Games the best possible start.'
The Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium this evening for the Opening Ceremony, where the Olympic Cauldron will be lit and stay alight until it is extinguished on the final day of the Games.
Find out more about the Torchbearers carrying the Flame on the final day of the Relay
Watch the Olympic Torch Relay live
