There will be two Iron Ladies celebrating a very special birthday party in Southampton tomorrow.

Former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher is expected to attend a gala lunch on board Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 as the ship marks the 40th anniversary of her launch by the Queen in 1967.

During her long career QE2 ruled supreme over the oceans of the world and now, as her days as a sea-going vessel are numbered, the liner is beginning a year-long programme of farewell voyages.

Baroness Thatcher has a special link with the vessel as when she was in Number 10 Downing Street she ordered the ship to be called up as part of the South Atlantic Task Force during the Falklands War of 1982.

The exclusive event will be a real Thatcher family affair as the Baroness's daughter, Carol, former winner of the television show, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! will also be attending the lunch as her name appears on a brand new book tracing the fortunes and misfortunes of the liner over the last four decades.

More than 330 specially invited guests, many of whom have had a long association with the Cunarder, will raise a glass to toast QE2 before she sets off for a week-long "lap of honour'' around Great Britain.