The Cunard Three Queens

Of course the whole climax of the Jubilee Weekend in Southampton was the meeting of Cunard's Three Queens on Tuesday 5 June 2012.

It was the main reason I had travelled down, and, aside from the unfortunate weather, which meant the cancellation of the Red Arrows and not really seeing the fireworks, did not disappoint!

 

Queen Mary 2 arrived first at 4.50am

I was up at 3.50 and standing ready on Caryll's balcony with video camera running on a tripod next to me and clutching my Nikon with 50-300mm lens. As the sun rose it became clear that QM2 was going to arrive at the perfect moment.


As QM2 was sailing past, so Queen Victoria was arriving. After the fog of the previous morings, it was beautifully clear, although the red sky boded ill for the rest of the day...and so it proved.

And Queen Elizabeth

Last to arrive was Queen Elizabeth - the youngest sister. I was privileged to be on her maiden voyage so it was particularly nice to see her again.

The three ships came together in Southampton

The manouevring required was quite a sight. As QM2 sailed up to the upper swinging ground, QV turned just before Dock Head and reversed into her berth. QE sailed straight into Berth 101 in time for QM2 to sail back down past her two sisters very slowly. She carried on past and into the Ocean Terminal as QV reversed back to Berth 105.

and again in the evening for fireworks before departure

Later that evening the three ships performed the whole thing again, before all sailing off on their next voyages.