The Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria return to Liverpool this Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Cunard.
A once in a lifetime sight, all three Queens will come together on the Mersey on Monday 25 May, in the city that will always be a part of Cunard history and huge crowds are expected to share in the unique and majestic event.
The Queen Mary 2, berths on Sunday after a worldwide tour taking it to Sydney and New York.
It later meets the other two smaller Royal yachts, The Queen Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth in the mouth of the River Mersey between Crosby Beach and New Brighton the following morning in a meeting called the Three Queens Salute.
They’ll sail south in formation towards the Liverpool Echo Arena, and then turn through 180 degrees to face north and anchoring while celebrations take part in the city before the ships depart the following morning.
Angus Struthers, Cunard Director, said: “After many years of planning, Liverpool will host the gathering of our three majestic Queens on the Mersey.
“The event will provide a spectacle that will live long in the memories of those who attend. If the excitement and buzz that there is currently around the city is an indication of the reception the fleet is going to receive over the three-day period then it is difficult to describe the excitement, emotion and passion there will be at the time.
The full itinerary is as follows
Sunday 24 May
09:00 – Queen Mary 2 arrives in the city and berths at Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal.
22:00 – ‘Amazing Graces’ digital / light projection show on the Three Graces
22:30 – Mid-river Firework display, off the Pier Head
Bank Holiday Monday 25 May
10:45 – Queen Mary 2 leaves the berth to greet her two sisters at the mouth of the Mersey (the area between Crosby Beach and New Brighton)
12:00–14:00 – Three Queens meet and sail south in formation towards the Liverpool Echo Arena, and then turn through 180 degrees to face north. Further manoeuvres may be possible depending on weather conditions on the day.
14:00–14:15 – Queen Mary 2 leaves the city. Queen Elizabeth berths at the Cruise Liner Terminal and Queen Victoria anchors in the middle of the Mersey
22:00–23:00 – Amazing Graces’ digital / light projection show on the Three Graces
22:30 – Firework display. Following the display, Queen Elizabeth leaves the city and Queen Victoria berths at the Cruise Liner Terminal
Tuesday 26 May
16:30 – A special musical sail-away performance to say good bye to Queen Victoria
17:00 – Queen Victoria sails out of the city. Flotilla of small boats welcome.
