Cunard's Three Queens in Historic Formation

Flagship Queen Mary 2 led Cunard’s Three Queens out of Southampton in the U.K. in daylight for the first time ever, to mark the start of Cunard’s 175th anniversary celebrations in the UK, before exchanging the lead with sister ship Queen Elizabeth.

The ships arrived in Southampton earlier on Sunday from their three month World Cruises and now set off on their Summer season of transatlantic crossings, Mediterranean fly-cruises, Scandinavian and southern European sailings.

The Masters of Cunard’s three ship fleet mustered by the funnel of flagship Queen Mary 2 ahead of the event.

Commodore Christopher Rynd, Master of Queen Victoria, is joined on the distinctive red funnel that characterizes all three ships by Captain Chris Wells, Master of Queen Mary 2 and Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, Master of Queen Elizabeth and Cunard’s first ever female Captain.  

Commodore Rynd said: “This is the first time that the Cunard ships have been in Southampton since they set off on their World Cruises in January, so it’s great to have the opportunity to meet with my fellow Captains. We rarely get together in this way, and it’s only the fourth time ever that these Three Queens have gathered here in Southampton.  

“Today is a special day for Cunard, as the 175 anniversary celebrations are initiated here in our homeport. We are looking forward to sailing the Three Queens out from Southampton this afternoon in special formation and adding a little bit more history to the Cunard story.”