HRH The Princess Royal to be Honorary Guest at New York Trafalgar Luncheon on board Cunard's Flagship Queen Mary 2
SOUTHAMPTON, England, Oct. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the UK's National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN), will be the special guest at an exclusive New York luncheon, sponsored by Cunard, on Thursday 29th October in support of the world's most iconic warship, HMS Victory.
The luncheon marks another milestone in Cunard's celebratory 175th year and coincides with the launch of HMS Victory 250 years ago.
The Trafalgar luncheon is a celebration of the history of British Sea Power and is hosted by the American Friends of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (AFNMRN), a not-for-profit organization that furthers the special relationship between the British and American navies and supports the NMRN's collections and educational programs.
Following years of mostly stopgap reservation, HMS Victory is entering the most significant phase of conservation in her 250-year history to stabilise and preserve her. The luncheon marks the early stages of an international campaign to secure her long-term future.
The striking backdrop of Cunard's flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 will provide an inspirational setting to the luncheon whilst she is docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. It is the second such event sponsored by Cunard in support of NMRN during this year, with the earlier function hosted aboard Queen Victoria in April whilst the ship was docked in Los Angeles (San Pedro), California.
All proceeds from the event will go towards the conservation of HMS Victory, which boasts a huge following in America. The ship, which legendarily led the British Fleet to victory against the French in 1805, is most famously associated with Admiral Lord Nelson, who was mortally wounded during the Battle of Trafalgar and is now possibly one of the Greatest Britons.
David W. Fleming, Founding President of the AFNMRN, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Her Royal Highness as guest of honor. There is a very special relationship and shared respect between our two navies, past and present. The awesome sea power of the UK's greatest flagship, HMS Victory, and the tactical genius of Admiral Lord Nelson capture the hearts and minds of many Americans."
Luncheon Co-Chair Richard Meadows and President of Cunard, North America said: "This year has been a superb opportunity to showcase and celebrate Cunard's 175th anniversary and the chance to mark this auspicious occasion in the esteemed company of Her Royal Highness and to support probably the world's most famous warship, really is very special. We are delighted to support the AFNMRN in their sterling efforts to help conserve HMS Victory."
Admiral of the Fleet, The Lord Michael Boyce KG GCB OBE DL, Chair of the HMS Victory Preservation Trust, is a special guest at the luncheon travelling to the USA exclusively for the occasion. Director General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy Professor Dominic Tweddle will also be attending. He said: "The partnership between the NMRN and its American Friends is very strong and we are extremely fortunate to have Cunard's support in this very special year. This will be a remarkable occasion."
For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard Line at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.
For additional information about the National Museum of the Royal Navy, contact:
Jacquie Shaw, PR Manager, National Museum of the Royal Navy, 02392 728062, jacquie.shaw@nmrn.org.uk
For additional information about Cunard, contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard, 661-753-1035, jchase@cunard.com
Maria Andriano, MGA Media Group, 212-251-1015, maria@mgamediagroup.com
Editor's notes
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL NAVY: The National Museum of the Royal Navy reflects a hardwon history and a modern global reach on, over, and under the sea. It also illuminates the men and women who serve in its ranks, as well as those who serve in the Royal Marines. The American Friends of the NMRN is a notforprofit organization that furthers the special relationship between the British and American navies and supports the Museum's collections and educational programs.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL NAVY: The National Museum of the Royal Navy, established in 2009, tells the story of the four fighting forces of the British Royal Navy. Constituent members include the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth (including HMS Victory and First World War Gallipoli campaign survivor HMS M.33); the Royal Marines Museum at Eastney, Portsmouth; the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset; the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Explosion, the Museum of Naval Firepower, both in Gosport on the south coast of England and the UK's oldest historic fighting ship still afloat, HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool. Affiliates include HMS Unicorn (Dundee); HMS Wellington (London); the Medusa Trust (Portsmouth); RML 526 (Rye); the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust (Portsmouth) and the D-Day Museum (Portsmouth) and ships under its care include HMS Caroline in Northern Ireland. Further information is available on www.nmrn.org.uk.
CUNARD: Defining true excellence at sea with over 175 years of legendary voyages, Cunard is the operator of luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Cunard has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer Britannia crossed the Atlantic in 1840.Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.
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Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Seabourn and fathom. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
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