The Three Queens Salute Liverpool

Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the Mersey to watch the Three Queens make maritime history.

Celebrating 175 years of Cunard the Queens sailed into Liverpool together, an event which has never happened before . . .

Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the Mersey to watch the Three Queens make maritime history

Despite the cold grey uncertain weather, spectators line up on the bank of the river at Birkenhead, opposite Liverpool, to witness the promised River Dance of the three great ocean liners.


Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the Mersey to watch the Three Queens make maritime history.

Celebrating 175 years of Cunard the Queens sailed into Liverpool together, an event which has never happened before . . .

Queen Elizabeth led Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 up the Mersey all astern. The ships then simultaneously proceeded to turn through 180 degrees to face north before lining up three abreast across the river, just 130 metres apart, in front of the world heritage site Cunard Building the former headquarters of Cunard.

When all were in place Queen Mary 2, Cunard's 150,000 tonne flagship vessel, sounded ‘175’ on her ship’s whistle – first one, then seven short blasts, then five more.

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Queen Elizabeth led Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 up the Mersey all astern. The ships then simultaneously proceeded to turn through 180 degrees to face north before lining up three abreast across the river, just 130 metres apart, in front of the world heritage site Cunard Building the former headquarters of Cunard.

When all were in place Queen Mary 2, Cunard's 150,000 tonne flagship vessel, sounded ‘175’ on her ship’s whistle – first one, then seven short blasts, then five more.

Queen Mary 2 in mid-manouver

Queen Mary 2 in mid-manouver opposite Cunard's former headquarters building, one of the so-called Three Graces' of Liverpool — The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building.


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Queen Victoria starts her manouver opposite the Liverpool Echo Arena

Queen Victoria starts her manouver opposite the Liverpool Echo Arena.


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Lots of small boat attention as Queen Victoria continues her manouvers

A collection of small boats attend as Queen Victoria continues her manoeuvres.


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River Dance manouver almost complete

River Dance manouver almost complete.


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Queen Elizabeth opposite Birkenhead

Queen Elizabeth opposite Birkenhead, near the Cammell Laird shipyard, having completed the turn and now facing out to sea.


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Manouvers completed Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth move forward

Manoeuvres completed Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth moves forward to line up alongside their sister ship Queen Mary 2 at the The Cunard Building.


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The sun briefly breaks through the cloud as Queen Victoria moved forward

The sun briefly breaks through the cloud as Queen Victoria moved forward.


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Mersey tug Svitzer Bidston

Mersey tug Svitzer Bidston, having led the Thee Queens up the Mersey on their arrival, continues with its traditional water-hose display with Liverpool Cathedral in the background.