IT will be one of the saddest of farewells, when the nation's two favourite Queens meet up for the last time in Southampton later this year.

As reported on the site yesterday the Queen will be in the city's docks to say a fond goodbye to the legendary Cunard liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, before the ship is taken out of service to become a hotel and tourist attraction in the Middle East.

For the ship and her crew the royal visit will be a historic occasion as the Queen is reunited, after a gap of 18 years, with QE2, a liner which has a special place in her affections ever since the day, now more than 40 years ago, when she officially launched the Cunarder.

It was in 1967 that the Queen travelled to the John Brown shipyard on Clydebank to perform the traditional ceremony, during which she revealed the vessel's long-awaited name, then one of the best-kept secrets of the time. On Monday, June 2 the Queen will once again be welcomed aboard QE2 when she walks through the wood panelled mid-ship's lobby and tours the ship for the final time. Cunard will announce exact details of the visit later but it is known the Queen will meet many of the ship's crew.

The Queen has visited QE2 twice since the 1967 launch; on May 1, 1969, immediately prior to the liner's maiden voyage and on July 27, 1990 to mark Cunard's 150th anniversary.

Carol Marlow, Cunard's president and managing director, said: "Her Majesty has taken a close interest in the ship over the last 40 years, and I am certain this will be a memorable occasion for all involved."

The Queen has always been close to Cunard and it was in January, 2004 that she came to Southampton to inaugurate another of the company's liners, this time by naming the shipping line's huge Queen Mary 2.

Since she first entered service QE2, for 35 years the flagship of the Cunard fleet, has travelled more than 5.6 million miles, more than any other vessel, has carried in excess of 2.5 million passengers, has completed 25 world cruises and crossed the Atlantic 802 times.

QE2 is due to leave Southampton for the last time on Tuesday, November 11, when she will be relocated to the oil-rich Middle East state of Dubai where she will become a first-class floating hotel and tourist attraction.