Queen Elizabeth II: Boats, tugs and ferries take part in Mersey tribute

14 September 2022

The tribute took place in front of the Three Graces on Liverpool's waterfront

Boats on the River Mersey have taken part in a large display in tribute to the Queen.

About 20 working vessels blew their horns and a piper played before and after the minute-long display.

River tugs sprayed water from their fire cannons as members of the public lined both sides of the river to watch.

The display included the Mersey Ferries, the Disney Magic cruise liner, RNLI lifeboats, river tugs and pilot launch boats at 14:00 BST.

It also involved boats in the dock systems in Liverpool and Wirral, including at the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead.

Laura Carter, from Bebington, said she had been emotional watching the display.

"[I felt] really proud to be British," she told BBC Radio Merseyside.

Fellow spectator Mal, from Aintree, described the display as "impressive and a "wonderful tribute".

News image — The maritime tribute to Queen Elizabeth II took place on the River Mersey

Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II — The maritime tribute to Queen Elizabeth II took place on the River Mersey

Speaking ahead of the tribute, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said it would be a "unique tribute" to an "incredible life".

He said the region's maritime links to the Royal Family "run deep, with both Her Majesty and royal vessels having visited the Port of Liverpool several times throughout her 70-year reign".

The "magnificent maritime spectacle" was "a chance for members of the seafaring community, local residents, and visitors, to pay their respects on our iconic waterfront in the way that only our region can do best", he said.

The tribute took place in front of the Three Graces - the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.