Cunard, a renowned cruise line founded in the 19th century, has a longstanding relationship with the Royal Family. Its strong ties are apparent from ships named after queens to ship christenings by Queen Elizabeth II and royal visits. Even artwork on one cruise ship, in particular, was handmade by royalty.
The luxury British-founded cruise line has pioneered transatlantic cruises since it began sailing around the world in 1840. Every Cunard detail is meticulously curated and crafted, from its onboard design and decor to entertainment and fine dining to exceptional service; the Cunard onboard celebrations heralding King Charles III’s coronation will surely be outstanding.
Several special events will take place to celebrate Cunard’s enduring connection with the Royal Family.
Catch a glimpse of the relationship between them, including Cunard’s special event details and key historical moments with the Royal Family through photos including Queen Elizabeth II, The Queen Mother, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
All images are courtesy of Cunard.
Find out more about Cunard's luxurious Queens and Princess Grills Suites and ship-within-a-ship experiences , along with how to decide the best cruises to book this year .
Her Majesty The Queen launches Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967, with Princess Margaret by her side. The ship sailed over 5 million miles during her 39 years of service.
His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at the christening of Cunard’s Queen Victoria in December 2007.
Cunard guests aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth will be treated to an immersive experience for King Charles III’s coronation. This includes a dinner inspired by The King's love of farming, agriculture, game, and organic principles. Specially curated dishes will highlight his favorite ingredients for a truly spectacular and memorable meal. Three Cunard ships are in service, and all are named after British Royalty. The fleet consists of Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria. Another ship, Queen Anne, will enter service in 2024.
Members of the Royal Family have graced each of the ships in Cunard’s current fleet.
In more than 180 years of service, many ships have been a part of the Cunard fleet, including the famous ship Carpathia. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Christens Cunard's Queen Elizabeth in Southampton in October 2010.
The ship features 12 guest decks, allowing it to tower nearly 184 feet above the waterline, a height compared to a 21-story building! The ship features one of the world’s largest ocean-going dance floors in the Queens Room. Specially designed cocktails will be available onboard Cunard ships for The King’s coronation to toast Their Majesties, The King and The Queen Consort. This includes a “Coronation Oath” made with Prosecco, white vermouth, grapefruit, and cardamom bitters and a “Monarch Martini” using Cunard's 3 Queens Gin.
Photograph by Christopher Ison. Cunard is the only pet-friendly cruise line. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, with their pug, gleefully pose for photos in front of Cunard’s Queen Mary.
The Queen Mary 2 is the only cruise ship with kennels at sea and regularly carries pets across the Atlantic. A lamppost near the kennels was originally pitched outside Cunard’s former world headquarters in Liverpool, and a New York fire hydrant is available for dogs to make guests’ pets feel more at home. The original Queen Elizabeth Cunard ship.
Historically, there have been three Queen Elizabeth ships in Cunard’s fleet. The corresponding christening dates of the ships are as follows: Queen Elizabeth: 1939 (retired in 1968); Queen Elizabeth 2: 1967 (retired in 2008); Queen Elizabeth: 2010 (still in service, with two refurbishments over time). The Queen Mother and Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth board Cunard’s ship Queen Elizabeth in Clydebank in 1938. At the time, the ship was the largest in the world. The naming of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth occurred in 1938, though the ship did not go into service carrying passengers until 1939. Pictured onboard the ship are The Queen Mother, a young Queen Elizabeth II at 12 years old, and Sir Percy Bates (Cunard White Star Line Chairman). Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth christens Cunard's Caronia in 1947.
Queen Elizabeth christened four Cunard ships during her lifetime. Caronia was the first ship she christened at the age of 21. However, Cunard’s royal connection was longstanding before 1947.
It dates back to August 1861, when Prince Alfred sailed from Halifax to Liverpool on SS Arabia. Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth was just 21 when she launched Caronia in October 1947. She became queen in February 1952, at the age of 25. Her Majesty The Queen launches Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967, with Princess Margaret by her side. The ship sailed over 5 million miles during her 39 years of service. Her Majesty The Queen looks up in awe at Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2. It was the fastest passenger ship to sail in the 21st century, with a length of 963 feet and a gross weight of 65,863 tons when it was built. In 1975, it became the first-ever ship to travel through the Panama Canal. Her Majesty The Queen onboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1990. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth christens Cunard's Queen Elizabeth in England’s Port of Southampton.
The ship’s six grand suites are named after Cunard Commodores who were knighted for their services to king and country. Her Majesty The Queen with Cunard President Peter Shanks onboard the ship Queen Elizabeth after the ship’s christening. A portrait of Her Majesty The Queen appropriately hangs in the Queen’s Room onboard, which is the ballroom.
The portrait was painted by Isobel Peachey from England’s Lancashire, who was 31 years old when Cunard commissioned the painting. She had never previously been commissioned to paint a royal portrait. Princess Margaret’s son, David Linley, created the marquetry panel in the Grand Lobby of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. In the art piece, the ship's bow reaches toward guests, crafted from various types of inlaid wood. Queen Elizabeth II’s nephew and King Charles III’s cousin is a skilled furniture maker and author of the book, “Craft Britain: Why Making Matters.” Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II onboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth after she christened the ship.
The impressive triple height of the Grand Lobby displays a marquetry panel by David Linley. The ship also boasts a two-story library with a unique leaded glass ceiling and around 6,000 books. It is tradition for Cunard to commission a piece of art – whether a sculpture or portrait – to display on every ship named by a member of the Royal Family.
In this photo taken by Christopher Ison, artist Tommy Camerno unveils his portrait of Queen Anne at an event in London, in November 2022. It will be displayed in the Queen’s Room aboard Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, launching in May 2024. Cunard Grills photoshoot with Alpha Century
IMAGE RETOUCHED 27TH JUNE 2018.
Picture date: Friday June 1, 2018.
Photograph by Christopher Ison ©
07544044177
[email protected]
www.christopherison.com Find out how to decide the best cruises to book this year: https://sometimessailing.com/best-cruises-to-book
