Three Cunard Queens at Southampton 22 April 2008

24th April 2008

For the first time in its long history, Cunard has had three Queens in service since December 2007, when Queen Victoria joined Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. This will only last for another few months, until Queen Elizabeth 2 sails away in November to retirement in Dubai.

Tuesday 22 April 2008 was the only scheduled meeting of all three Queens in UK waters, and Southampton was blessed with warm (if hazy) spring sunshine for this special occasion, which was also the 39th anniversary of QE2’s first voyage.

There is also a short video at http://www.youtube.com/v/4Nw7GG-PKVs . This shows Queen Mary 2 exchanging whistles with Queen Elizabeth 2 as it heads up the River Test, having already passed Queen Victoria (centre screen). After turning, and with the sun behind them, the two ships exchange whistles again as Queen Mary 2 departs for New York.

BBC News has a good aerial video at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7361808.stm

Click on the title bar above to see thumbnails of each picture. Click on each thumbnail to see the full picture. Email me on pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com to request a full size image file to be emailed to you: don't forget to quote the DSCF number(s)!

The three Queens are seen from Hythe Marina: QM2 on the right, QE2 at the far left, and QV between them 1024x767 DSCF4342.JPG	The view from Hythe Pier, with the Hythe Ferry approaching 1024x768 DSCF4345.JPG	The Hythe Ferry, with Queen Mary 2 behind her 1024x768 DSCF4346.JPG	The three Queens seen from the Hythe Ferry 1024x768 DSCF4348.JPG
Queen Mary 2 at the Queen Elizabeth II terminal 1024x768 DSCF4353.JPG	QE2 and Queen Victoria, seen from the Hythe Ferry. Tugs are moving QE2 1024x768 DSCF4360.JPG	From Mayflower Park, we get a good view of Queen Victoria. Note that QE2 has turned 1024x768 DSCF4372.JPG	Behind Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth 2 is being brought back to Berth 105 1024x768 DSCF4378.JPG
A telephoto shot of QE2 with its tugs 1024x768 DSCF4379.JPG	Behind Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth 2 is almost back on its berth 1024x768 DSCF4391.JPG	An afternoon harbour tour provides a portrait of Queen Elizabeth 2, with the Hampshire Police in the foreground 1024x768 DSCF4425.JPG	An afternoon harbour tour provides a portrait of Queen Victoria 1024x768 DSCF4427.JPG