The most famous ship in the world heads for Liverpool on her grand tour of Britain

Sep 10 2007 by Haydon Wood, Liverpool Daily Post

THE QE2 leaves Southampton on Saturday for an historic “lap-of-honour” around Britain to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her launch by the Queen on September 20, 1967.

Since she came into service, QE2 has had a spectacular career and is now simply the most famous ship afloat, quite probably the most successful liner ever. She has hosted every senior member of the Royal Family at least once; has welcomed prime ministers and presidents, including Nelson Mandela, from around the world; and has been host to a multitude of celebrities and film stars.

She has travelled 5.6m nautical miles, which is further than any ship ever, and has made 25 circumnavigations of the globe.

In 1982, she was requisitioned to carry 3,000 troops to the Falklands War. She returned bearing the survivors of HMS Ardent, Antelope and Coventry.

On her anniversary cruise, she will head towards the North Sea, calling at the Tyne and the Firth of Forth before heading to the Clyde.

On September 21, the ship arrives in Cunard’s spiritual home, Liverpool, where the company was based from 1839 to 1967.

QE2 will be one of the first ships to tie up at Liverpool’s new cruise ship terminal, due to be officially opened that day by the Duke of Kent, who will go on board the QE2 after the ceremony for lunch.

A spectacular highlight takes place that afternoon when there will be a magnificent Celebration Concert at the Anglican Cathedral, to be attended by all QE2 guests and local civic leaders.

The concert, starring soprano Lesley Garrett, Scottish tenor Nicky Spence, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and choir, the Liverpool Cathedral choir and the band of the Scots Guards will be a rousing mixture of patriotic and popular music guaranteed to stir the emotions. Tributes will be paid by Sir Jimmy Savile and Carol Thatcher.

That night, there will be a splendid mid-river firework display.