BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: A farewell look at the QE2

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11:43 GMT, Monday, 10 November 2008

In pictures: A farewell look at the QE2

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The QE2, which is retiring from service on 11 November, was built at the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde and launched by the Queen - two minutes early - on 20 September 1967.

The Queen launches the QE2 on 20 September 1967 at Clydebank, Scotland

The Queen launches the QE2 on 20 September 1967 at Clydebank, Scotland

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The ship was not named after the present Queen but rather the "2" shows that it was the second Cunard ship named Queen Elizabeth.

Passengers in the QE2's VIP lounge on 16 May 1969.

Passengers in the QE2's VIP lounge on 16 May 1969.

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The record-breaking 70,000-tonne vessel has been a troop carrier, a hostess to royalty and now a floating hotel.

Former Beatle George Harrison onboard the liner in 1971.

Former Beatle George Harrison onboard the liner in 1971.

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Ever since Prince Charles became the first guest of the QE2 more than 40 years ago, hundreds of famous people have graced her decks, including the Beatle, George Harrison.

Soldiers say farewell to their loved ones before departing from Southampton for the Falkland Islands in 1982.

Soldiers say farewell to their loved ones before departing from Southampton for the Falkland Islands in 1982.

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In 1982, the vessel was requisitioned as a troop carrier for the Falklands War. It carried 3,000 personnel and 650 volunteer crew to the South Atlantic.

The QE2 and New Zealand Endeavour near Southampton in June 1994.

The QE2 and New Zealand Endeavour near Southampton in June 1994.

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The fastest merchant ship in operation, the QE2 is pictured alongside the NZ Endeavour which was heading into Southampton to win what was then the Whitbread Round the World yacht race.

Two pranksters on rubber duck buoys return to land after attacking the QE2 with fake swords at Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia, on 22 February 2007.

Two pranksters on rubber duck buoys return to land after attacking the QE2 with fake swords at Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia, on 22 February 2007.

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The QE2 has carried more than 2.5 million passengers, completed 25 world cruises and crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times.

The Red Arrows fly past the QE2, berthed at the Ocean Terminal in Greenock, Scotland, in September 2007.

The Red Arrows fly past the QE2, berthed at the Ocean Terminal in Greenock, Scotland, in September 2007.

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The QE2's 40th anniversary UK tour included calls at Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool. An estimated 1m people turned out to see the ship when it stopped at Liverpool for the first time in 1990.

The QE2 docks near the Forth Rail Bridge in Scotland in October 2008.

The QE2 docks near the Forth Rail Bridge in Scotland in October 2008.

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The much-loved QE2 conducted a farewell tour of Britain in October this year.

The QE2 makes its last entry into New York on 16 October 2008.

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Its final stop will be Dubai, where it is to be converted into a floating hotel, moored off the Palm Jumeirah development - the world's largest man-made island.

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Related to this story:
Colourful history of famous ship (18 Jun 07 | UK )
Your Pictures: QE2 on Clyde return (06 Oct 08 | In Pictures )
In Pictures: QE2 (20 Sep 07 | In Pictures )
QE2's funnel 'to be sliced off' (10 Oct 08 | Hampshire )
QE2 in final transatlantic trip (10 Oct 08 | Hampshire )
QE2 set to become floating hotel (18 Jun 07 | Business )

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