Three Queens salute Diamond Jubilee
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Cunard’s three Queens sailed into port together for the first time on Tuesday morning to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth sailed in single file into Southampton, Hampshire shortly after dawn, with a fire tug and a flotilla of small boats welcoming them in.
Her Majesty The Queen has long been associated with Cunard, being the only person to have attended the naming of all three Cunard Elizabeths, beginning in 1938 with the original Queen Elizabeth, then 1967 when she launched Queen Elizabeth 2 and 2010 when she named the current Queen Elizabeth.
As the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria ships took a bow-to-bow position close to the City Terminal, Queen Mary 2 passed each ship in turn, creating a three-bow formation, as flag waving crew lined the foredecks, and the ships’ whistles sounded in salute.
The nautical display kicked off a day of celebrations in the city to mark the Queens’ 60 years on the throne with live bands and entertainment.
Unfortunately the previously scheduled aerial acrobatics performance by the Red Arrows had to be cancelled due to rain and low clouds but the evening was capped off with spectacular fireworks in the evening to conclude the day’s celebrations. All three Cunard Queens departed Southampton that evening.
The Three Queens event in Southampton was the biggest celebration outside of London over the extended bank holiday weekend.