THE QUEEN'S FAREWELL TO THE QE2 LINER

A few weeks ago, the Queen boarded for the third time, and final time, since she named it in 1967, the QE2.

And the BBC reported her farewell to the Old Queen of the Seas.

Watch here the BBC video.

The 120 year old Southern Daily Echo covered the story in detail.

The highlights:

The Queen came to say a final farewell to one of the great icons of her reign, the Southampton liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, and to leave a simple, but lasting, message: "Thanks for the memories.'' ...

Although the day was tinged with sadness, the ship's officers and crew were determined it would also be full of pride, and tradition but above all, one that would celebrate the unique and remarkable story of QE2.

Despite her advancing years, QE2 was a magnificent sight alongside her usual berth in the city's Eastern Docks. It was as if the ship knew that this was one day she had to look her best and the grand old dame of the sea carried it off with aplomb...

With the Queen to acknowledge QE2's unique role was former Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher who ,during her time in Downing Street ordered the liner to be transformed into a troopship and join the South Atlantic task force to recapture the Falkland Islands in 1982...

The Queen was presented with a bouquet of 55 red roses, one flower for each year since the Coronation, by QE2's executive housekeeper, Roz Price Evans, the longest serving female member of the crew.

One of the most memorable moments came when the Queen unveiled a large painting by the renowned marine artist Robert Lloyd depicting QE2 taking her leave from Southampton to begin her one-way voyage to Dubai...

The Queen was initially greeted by Cunard president and managing director, Carol Marlow, who escorted the Royal party on board and into the ship's lobby where she was welcomed by QE2's last ever masters, Captain Ian MacNaught and Captain David Perkins.

Among those presented to the Queen were nine former masters of QE2 including Captain Peter Jackson who was in command during the Falklands crisis.

In the Officers' Wardroom another small part of the liner's life came to an end when the Queen was invited to sign the ship's visitors' book. Hers was the first name on the first page, recalling the day of the ship's launch, and now this same signature was written on the last page.

After a reception in the Queen's Room, the liner's ballroom named after the monarch, guests joined the Queen for a gala lunch prepared in the vessel's galley by QE2's famed brigade of chefs.