The city is set to welcome the ship back to her spiritual homeThe Cunard Queen Anne, dedicated to the city of Liverpool last June, will remain overnight(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Cunard’s Queen Anne is set to return to Liverpool and you will be able to see her across Merseyside. The city is set to welcome the ship back to her spiritual home for the first time since her spectacular naming ceremony at the Pier Head.
The return to the River Mersey on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, marks the start of global celebrations across the Cunard fleet to celebrate this year’s 185th Anniversary of the line’s first transatlantic crossing leaving Liverpool in 1840.
Her arrival is expected to attract huge crowds to vantage points on both sides of the river as Liverpool prepares to host the LFC Premier League Champions Parade later that day. These vantage points include Mersey Bar, Formby, Crosby, New Brighton, Seacombe and the Cruise Port.
Below are the expected timings:
- Mersey Bar: 9.15am
- Formby: 9.45am
- Crosby: 10.15am
- New Brighton: 10.45am
- Seacombe: 11am
- Cruise Port: 12pm
The ship, dedicated to the city of Liverpool last June, will remain overnight. The following day, Tuesday, May 27, the Cunard will be honoured when HRH The Princess Royal makes a visit to the ship.
After this, a Sea of Glamour photographic exhibition curated by photographer and film-maker Mary McCartney will open at the Royal Liver Building. The exhibition features 185 images charting the Cunard timeline and some of the many milestones in its unique maritime history and bond with the city of Liverpool.
The final image will be of the five Liverpool icons chosen to represent the city at the Queen Anne Naming. Mary McCartney said: “Curating Sea of Glamour for Cunard has been such a brilliant project for me as a photographer.
“To delve into 185 years of photographic history, I had the privilege of exploring not only Cunard’s iconic legacy but also the real, heartfelt moments shared by its guests on board.
“As I went through the archives and read the stories submitted by passengers from all corners of the world, I was struck by the strong sense of community and connection that Cunard has fostered over the years. I loved seeing the personal submissions – moments of joy, connection and family milestones.
“As I reflected on these stories, I was reminded that glamour isn’t only found in images of royalty or Hollywood stars, but in the shared experience of all Cunard passengers.”
Queen Anne’s return to the city will be part of an iconic bank holiday weekend of events in Liverpool, including Radio 1 Big Weekend and the LFC Premier League Champions Parade.