Twenty years ago, the world held its breath as Southampton welcomed a maritime marvel, a queen of the seas.

The launch of the Queen Mary 2 was more than just a spectacle; it was a moment etched in history, a testament to human ingenuity and a celebration of maritime heritage.

Today, we cast our minds back to that momentous day in January 2004, reliving the grandeur, the excitement, and the sheer awe that surrounded the birth of this iconic vessel. Join us as we delve into the archives, unearthing the details of a day that Southampton – and indeed, the world – would never forget.

At 150,000 tons, QM2 dwarfed every other vessel that had ever graced Southampton's waters. 

Even the legendary liners of the golden age paled in comparison to this behemoth of the 21st century. 

Her sheer size, her sleek lines, her promise of transatlantic luxury – she was a spectacle to behold.

The ceremony was nothing short of breathtaking. 

A hush fell over the crowd as Heather Small, her voice soaring with emotion, finished her rendition of "Proud." 

Then, in a moment of theatrical magic, the massive backdrop of the auditorium fell away, revealing the QM2 in all her glory. 

A collective gasp rippled through the audience. Her striking bow, her towering superstructure, her sheer presence – it was a sight that took everyone's breath away.

The sky erupted in a symphony of light and colour. Fireworks painted the twilight canvas, their dazzling reflections dancing on the QM2's hull. 

A blizzard of confetti, a shower of gold and red, rained down on the jubilant crowd. The air thrummed with excitement, the atmosphere electric.

High on the ship's deck, former Queen's piper Jim Motherwell, a figure of stoic grandeur, filled the air with the haunting strains of his bagpipes. The music swelled, heralding the arrival of opera star Lesley Garrett, whose voice, clear as a bell, soared through the air with a spine-tingling rendition of "Amazing Grace."

Among the distinguished guests were Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, a former Cunard steward himself, and Transport Secretary Alistair Darling. 

Celebrities added their sparkle to the occasion, with the likes of Sir Bobby Robson and Sir David Frost gracing the event. 

Southampton's own football royalty, Gordon Strachan, and his wife Lesley, mingled with the Newcastle manager, while TV personalities Lorraine Kelly and Jennie Bond added their charm to the gathering.

In a poignant moment, the Right Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, Bishop of Winchester, offered prayers of blessing, including a heartfelt eulogy in French dedicated to the families of those tragically lost in the St Nazaire accident.

Just before the ceremony commenced, Cunard, the ship's proud owners, announced that QM2 was even more magnificent than initially estimated. The final survey revealed her true tonnage – a staggering 151,400 tons.

Hailed as the longest, widest, tallest, and, at a cost of £550 million, the most expensive passenger ship ever built, QM2 was already a legend. She stood as a testament to human ingenuity, an engineering marvel of the new millennium.

Echoing a historic moment from 37 years prior, when she named Southampton's iconic Queen Elizabeth 2, the Queen, with a touch of a button, sent a bottle of champagne crashing against the ship's hull. Her voice, clear and resonant, rang out across the harbour: "I name this ship Queen Mary 2. May God bless her and all who sail in her."

A deep, resonant blast from QM2's whistle – the original whistle from the legendary Queen Mary, no less – echoed through the city, proclaiming the arrival of a new queen of the oceans. The very ground seemed to tremble with the power of the sound, a sound that had first graced Southampton's shores back in 1936.

Earlier, the Queen, her resilience evident as she walked with a stick following a knee operation, arrived at the city's eastern docks. 

She was greeted by QM2's master, Commodore Ronald Warwick, and Cunard President Pamela Conover.

Veteran stevedores Nigel Graham and John Garner, their years of experience etched on their faces, were introduced to the Queen. Southampton's mayor, Councillor Parvin Damani, extended a warm welcome to the monarch, resplendent in cerise.

During the ceremony, Pamela Conover addressed the captivated audience, her words painting a vivid picture of the ship's significance: "QM2 is a transatlantic liner with all the dignity and grace of the liners of the past, but she is also a transatlantic liner of the future."  

She emphasised the deep connection between the ship and the city: "This is Southampton's ship and it renews the bond between Cunard and the city which began over 80 years ago."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow on the QM2, a sense of history hung in the air. This was more than just a launch; it was the beginning of a new chapter in maritime history, a chapter in which Southampton, once again, played a starring role.