The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday (8 September) aged 96; she became the UK’s longest-serving monarch in 2015. The tributes were led by Cunard, the line’s association with The Queen dating to 1938 when she accompanied her mother to the launch of Queen Elizabeth.
The Queen subsequently launched Caronia in 1947 and QE2 in 1967. She also named Queen Mary 2 in 2004 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010, and attended a number of events over the years onboard Cunard ships – including the line’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 1990.
"For all of this and much more, Cunard will be forever grateful to The Queen," said the line. "Cunard, on behalf of its employees worldwide, is deeply saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
"Cunard joins the UK and nations around the world in expressing our deep sympathy at the death of Her Majesty, and we extend sincere condolences to The Royal Family."
Paul Ludlow, president of Cunard’s Carnival Corporation sister brand P&O Cruises, echoed its stablemate’s warm reflection on the monarch, The Queen having named two P&O ships.
"P&O Cruises and its staff both ashore and at sea express deep sadness at the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen," said Ludlow. "Her Majesty will forever be remembered at P&O Cruises not least for the fact that she named two of the company’s ships, Oriana and Britannia."
