EARLY morning sightseers will have a dramatic, grandstand view of Cunard’s new 92,400 ton ship, Queen Elizabeth, when she arrives in the city for the first time tomorrow.

The vessel, which is to be named by the Queen in a magnificent dockside ceremony next Monday, is due to make her way along the Solent, before turning into Southampton Water, to pass Hythe, Town Quay, and Mayflower Park.

Once off the city’s Western Docks the ship will turn and head back down Southampton Water to come alongside the Ocean Terminal in the Eastern Docks.

The ship’s arrival will signal the start of three days of celebrations, culminating in the Queen saying the famous words: “I name this ship . . .”

and sealing her Royal stamp of approval on the new Cunarder, by sending a traditional bottle of champagne smashing against the vessel’s hull.

People will be able to watch the Queen naming the ship as a live broadcast of the ceremony, beginning just before 3.30pm on Monday, will be relayed to a huge out-door screen at the city’s newly-refurbished, Guildhall Square.

Sightseers will have another chance to see Queen Elizabeth when she leaves on her maiden voyage, a sell-out 12-night voyage to the Canary Islands, scheduled to begin at 5pm, on Tuesday.

On this occasion, Queen Elizabeth, will set a course down Southampton Water, passing Hythe, Hamble and Calshot, and out into the Solent.

Cunard’s president and managing director, Peter Shanks, said: “I’m certain the people of Southampton, along with the rest of the Britain, will take this truly magnificent ship to their hearts, as they have all the past and present Cunard Queens.

“The new Queen Elizabeth is a spectacular addition to a spectacular fleet, and we would love as many people as possible to take the opportunity to come out and share this exciting occasion with us.’’ Cunard jealously guards its long-established relationship with the Royal family, which can be traced back to 1934 when Queen Mary, wife of King George V, launched the previous liner of the same name and in doing so became the first British monarch ever to launch a merchant ship.

Before the naming ceremony, staged in front of many hundreds of specially-invited guests, the Queen will tour the ship, including a visit to the bridge, meeting members of the crew and also viewing a portrait of herself, specially-commissioned by Cunard, to hang on board the vessel.

With the naming ceremony, history is set to repeat itself as it was on September 27, 1938, that the Queen, then the 12-year-old Princess Elizabeth, accompanied the late Queen Mother when she launched the original Queen Elizabeth.

In September, 1967, the Queen, using the same pair of golden scissors her grandmother and mother used in the launching ceremonies for the former Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, named Southampton’s legendary liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, as she sent her down the slipway at the John Brown Shipyard into the River Clyde.

The Queen was also in Southampton more than six years ago, when she officially named Cunard’s present-day flagship, RMS Queen Mary 2, in a memorable Royal occasion in January, 2004.

After leaving the Italian shipyard where she was built, Queen Elizabeth has, for the past week, made her way through the Mediterranean, out into the Atlantic, crossed the Bay of Biscay, and set a course into the English Channel for her arrival in Southampton.

Queen Elizabeth timetable:

According to the latest information from Cunard, people will be able to view the ship at the following times as she makes her way passed these vantage points.

Queen Elizabeth is expected at:
Ryde/Portsmouth 7am
Lee-on-the-Solent 7.10am
Cowes 7.25am
Calshot 7.40am
Hamble 7.50am
Royal Victoria Country Park 8am
Hythe 8.10am
Mayflower Park 8.20am
Redbridge 8.30am
Ocean Terminal 9am.

Southampton City Council have arranged a number of free events to mark the arrival of Queen Elizabeth.

The full list of events includes a Queen Tribute act performing in Guildhall square and special exhibitions in the Wool House Maritime Museum opposite Town Quay.

The Daily Echo supported Music in the City includes a musical mystery tour, music workshops, various performances and showcases will also create a huge buzz in the city. Finally, the annual Southampton Film Week will once again be bringing audiences and local film makers together.