Queen Mary 2, the largest and grandest ocean liner ever built, arrived in Liverpool yesterday, starting Cunard’s three day celebration to mark the company’s 175 anniversary. The celebrations will culminate in the Three Queens on the Mersey event on Monday (local time).
Cunard’s 150,000-tonne flagship treated guests and onlookers to a sail-past of the city’s historic waterfront – including the company’s former headquarters, the Cunard Building – before executing an elegant turn in the river and tying up at the berth.
Queen Mary 2 will remain on the berth for the day and overnight, giving her 2600 guests the chance enjoy Liverpool’s sights ashore and to feel the buzz building up in the city ahead of Monday May 25 when all three ships will perform a synchronised ‘river dance’ on the Mersey for the very first time.
Adding a coup de grace to the Three Queens event, the Red Arrows will perform a fly-past at 1.50pm on Monday as the fleet completes its manoeuvres. The world famous aerobatic team will follow the Mersey from the sea, flying in formation over the three ships to create an extraordinary spectacle on the river.
Cunard Director Angus Struthers said the arrival of Queen Mary 2, the largest passenger ship ever to sail up the Mersey, signalled the beginning of Cunard’s Salute to Liverpool celebrations in the place where the Cunard story began 175 years ago.
“The ship manoeuvres will culminate with a fly-past by the Red Arrows at 1.50pm on Monday. Nine jets in the sky, three Queens on the river and one magnificent city – what an extraordinary sight that will be,” Mr Struthers said.
“Our flagship is here, her sister ships are on their way – we look forward to everyone enjoying the most amazing spectacle on the Mersey on Monday.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said Liverpool was a city well-versed in staging huge events with an international focus.
“The arrival of the Three Cunard Queens has been nearly a year in the planning, and for months there has been a real buzz around the city about this making of maritime history,” Mr Anderson said.
“The announcement of the fly-past by the Red Arrows will undoubtedly increase excitement levels of what will be an exceptionally busy few days on both sides of the River Mersey.
“I have no doubt Liverpool will shine under the international spotlight and this will be an unforgettable moment in the city’s history for all the right reasons.”
SOURCE Cunard