On 5 June 2012, Cunard will bring Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations to a close with the first-ever Cunard Royal Rendezvous in the fleet’s home port of Southampton, England. Here, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will approach the port soon after first light, sailing up Southampton Water, with a flotilla of small boats expected to welcome them in.
As Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria tie up at their berths, Queen Mary 2 will follow on, passing each ship in turn, with crew lining the foredeck of all three vessels, and the ships’ whistles sounding in salute.
The celebrations will culminate in an evening spectacular where all three ships will be brought within close proximity of each other, and a fusillade of fireworks and special effects will light up the evening sky.
Queen Mary 2 will then lead Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in single file down the Solent as all three ships set out on their celebratory Jubilee voyages.
On board, Cunard’s renowned Insights enrichment programme will feature lectures by former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond (Queen Mary 2), Professor Herbert Kerrigan QC, one of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Counsel in Scotland (Queen Victoria); and ITN royal commentator Robert Jobson (Queen Elizabeth).
Additionally, a highly distinguished and rare collection of Royal art, including eight original watercolours by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, 31 lithographs by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and 20 limited edition boxed sets of photographs by Lord Snowdon will be displayed on all three Queens, with limited edition prints available for purchase. This will be the only time that these prints are available for purchase outside the Belgravia Gallery in London.
Guests sailing on board Cunard ships will enjoy the Diamond Jubilee spirit into 6 June, when special activities throughout the day will culminate in a Commemorative Dinner with a souvenir menu highlighting the 74-year relationship between Cunard and Her Majesty The Queen, followed by a Grand Ball.
Guests sailing aboard the voyages ending on 5 June will not miss out on any of the historic events taking place in London, or indeed Southampton, as Cunard will screen live BBC World News coverage of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, across the fleet, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (GMT).
Source: Cunard Line
Subscribe to our Cruise News Updates.
