The 100-day countdown to the most spectacular gathering of the Cunard fleet officially got underway yesterday. 100 days later, on 25 May, up to one million spectators are expected to gather as Cunard’s three Queens perform a magnificent salute to the lines ‘spiritual home’ of Liverpool.

The official 100-day digital countdown clock was unveiled by the Chair of Merseytravel, Councillor Liam Robinson at the Mersey Ferries Pier Head Terminal ready for one of the most romantic days of the year, St. Valentine’s Day. Joining him were loyal Cunarders, 26-year-old Scott Sandison and his 24-year-old fiancée Lauren Hayes from Edinburgh, who in 2007 met as teenagers on board QE2, with Scott proposing on stage six years later in front of hundreds of people on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria.

On 25 May, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will gather in Liverpool to celebrate Cunard’s 175^th anniversary year in dramatic fashion. The three Queens will meet on the famous Liverpool waterfront, performing manoeuvres in close formation to create a spectacular one-off event that will draw hundreds of thousands of people to the banks of the Mersey.

Celebrating the countdown to the magnificent event and St. Valentine’s Day, Lauren and Scott were invited to help unveil the clock after Cunard learnt about their love story. After first meeting on board QE2 the couple continued their long distance romance, even though it meant a 350 mile trip with Scott living in Glasgow and Lauren in Cambridge. Six years later the Gold Cunard World Club Members, who now live in Edinburgh, are planning to make their fifth cruise with Cunard their honeymoon.

On 4 July 1840, Cunard’s first ship, Britannia, left the Mersey and changed the face of ocean travel forever by establishing the first scheduled service across the Atlantic. Queen Mary 2 will return to the cruise terminal on 4 July 2015, 175 years later to the day, to recreate the voyage of that first Cunard ship from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston. Today’s flagship will then continue on New York.

Are you planning on being there for the big event?

Info courtesy of Cunard