Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be coming to Southampton in July to lead the celebrations as P&O Cruises marks 175 years of heritage.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the city from all over the UK for the unique Grand Event, which will see seven of the world’s most famous cruise ships parade on Southampton’s waterfront for the first time in the port’s history.

And yesterday it was announced that The Princess Royal will be making a special appearance to conduct the Fleet Review in her capacity as Master of the Corporation of Trinity House.

More than 260,000 tons of shipping will be on display as Azura, Ventura, Aurora, Oriana, Arcadia, Oceana and Adonia all arrive early on the morning of July 3.

Her Royal Highness, who named Aurora in 2000 and Oceana in 2003, will join guests on Oriana before she joins THV Patricia to conduct the Fleet Review.

Then the ships will depart on a Grand Event cruise.

They will leave their berths in order and process down Southampton Water into the Solent.

The P&O Cruises fleet will then move into formation to pass THV Patricia at Charlie Anchorage and salute The Princess Royal as they are photographed from the air, before they sail onwards on various anniversary voyages.

A month earlier, on Tuesday, June 5, Cunard’s fleet of three “Queen” ships will also gather on the historic waterfront to salute Queen Elizabeth II’s 60-year reign.

Sightseers from all over the UK are expected to converge on Southampton as Cunarders Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth appear for the first time together in their home port.