With just over three weeks to go until the three Queens visit Liverpool, timings for the celebrations have been announced.
As part of the One Magnificent City programme, which launches on LightNight and will mark the 175th anniversary of Cunard, the Three Cunard Queens; Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 will sail into Liverpool together for the first ever time.
This historical feat is a salute to the Cunard’s spiritual home and the action is all set to take place during the May bank holiday weekend.
Whilst the ships will only be together for a short time (on Monday 25th May), there’s a whole programme of activity that will ensue throughout the weekend.
Some of the highlights include state of the art light projections ‘Amazing Graces’, which will explore the spirit of the City of Liverpool, as well as a fireworks display on the waterfront on Sunday, May 24th at 10.30pm. But of course, everybody wants to know about the three famous sisters.
In a once-in-a-lifetime maritime spectacle, Queen Mary 2 will sail into the city at 9am on Sunday 24th May, with Amazing Graces projections to follow later that day at 10pm, finishing with a fireworks projection at 10:30pm.
The following day (Monday), she will join her sisters at Brazil Buoy in New Brighton, when The Three Queens will sail south, in formation (12-2pm), towards the Liverpool Echo Arena, and then north along the Mersey.
The sister ships will turn simultaneously and, weather permitting, will perform a ‘river dance’ for spectators.
Queen Mary 2 will then depart the city, whilst Queen Elizabeth will berth at the Cruise Liner Terminal and Queen Victoria anchors in the middle of the River Mersey.
The day will draw to a close at around 10.30pm when a second fireworks display will light up the famous Liverpool waterfront.
On Tuesday, May 26th the weekend of celebrations will draw to a close at around 4.30pm – there will be a musical sail away performance before Queen Victoria sails out of the city at 5pm.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:
“Liverpool is a city well-versed in staging huge events with an international focus, and this May bank holiday weekend will be no exception.
“For months there has been a buzz around the city about the arrival of the three majestic liners on the Mersey. Hotel rooms have been snapped up and people are travelling far and wide to take in this maritime spectacle.
“Although the ships will only be together for a short period of time on the Monday, there is a whole programme of events taking place across the weekend to keep the crowds entertained. As well as the meeting of the Three Queens, the much-anticipated Amazing Graces projections will be a highlight for many as we’ll see the Three Graces in a whole new light.
“Without a doubt it’s going to be exceptionally busy on both sides of the river and our transport network will be put under a great deal of pressure and we want visitors to plan their journeys as much as possible.
“For more than a year we’ve been working with transport partners and other organisations such as Merseyside Police to make sure everyone rises to the challenge for what could be one of the busiest weekend’s the region has experienced.
“I have no doubt that Liverpool will shine under the international spotlight and this will be an unforgettable moment in the city’s history for all the right reasons.”
For a full set of FAQs, visit www.onemagnificentcity.co.uk
Words by Rosie Kenyon