On May 27, 2025, Cunard Line will commemorate its 185th anniversary in Liverpool (England UK), the city regarded as its spiritual home.
The event will be led by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Princess Anne), 1950-born as Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, the second child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Princess Anne is scheduled to undertake her first official tour of Cunard’s newest vessel Queen Anne. The liner will arrive on the River Mersey on May 26th, nearly a year after her naming ceremony in the same port.
The Princess Royal's visit will be marked by a ceremonial welcome from the British Army Band Catterick. During her time onboard the ship, she will acknowledge Cunard’s longstanding maritime heritage and its enduring relationship with Liverpool, and recognize the leadership of Queen Anne’s captains, Dave Hudson and Inger Thorhauge.
Following the ship tour, the 'Sea of Glamour' exhibition will officially open at the Royal Liver Building. Curated by photographer Mary McCartney, the exhibition will display 185 photographs from Cunard’s archives, featuring notable figures such as Hollywood actors, musicians, and members of royalty. Additionally, it will include contemporary images contributed by the public, illustrating nearly two centuries of transatlantic travel.
A highlight of the exhibition is a new portrait of Queen Anne’s Icons—five Liverpudlian women selected to represent the city in its role as the ship’s godparent. The Icons include Melanie C, Ngunan Adamu, Natalie Haywood, Jayne Casey, and Katarina Johnson-Thompson. McCartney is expected to capture this portrait on the day of the exhibition's opening.
The 'Sea of Glamour' exhibition will be open to the public from May 28 to June 17, 2025, after which it will embark on a global tour aboard Cunard’s fleet.
This celebration coincides with other significant events in Liverpool, including BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and a Premier League victory parade for Liverpool FC, contributing to a notable weekend for the city.