In what may be the largest Diamond Jubilee celebration outside of London, Southampton cruise port was the host to all three of the Cunard ships, as the once in a lifetime celebration began on Tuesday.
Queen Elizabeth, the monarch, is the only person to have attended all three namings for each of the three Cunard Queen Elizabeths. The first Queen Elizabeth ship was christened in 1938, followed by the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967. Two years ago, the monarch pressed the “button” on the podium that simultaneously released the champagne bottle to crash against the hull, christening the newest Queen Elizabeth vessel.
“Cunard is delighted to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in a way that gives everyone, especially our guests, a truly remarkable day that they will feel proud to talk about for years to come, taking part in history and marking the sixty glorious years of Her Majesty’s reign in fitting, legendary and memorable Cunard style,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.
As dawn broke on the morning of the Diamond Jubilee celebration, the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and the iconic Queen Mary 2 sailed up Southampton Water, greeted by a welcoming committee of dozens of small boats.
At the conclusion of the extravaganza, the Queen Mary 2 led the Queen Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth in single file down Southampton Water and out into the sea as all three ships set out on their celebratory Diamond Jubilee voyages.
I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath…stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
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