Queen tours QM2

The Queen and Prince Philip have arrived in Southampton for a tour of the new Queen Mary 2 cruise ship before officially launching the vessel later this afternoon.

Dressed in a cerise outfit with a cerise and purple hat, the Queen entered the grand lobby of the giant ship alongside Cunard president Pam Conover and the ship's Master Commodore Ronald Warwick.

Still carrying a stick after her recent knee operation, the Queen was introduced to, among others, Comm Warwick and his American-born wife Kim.

Mrs Warwick said: "This is the most exciting day."

The Queen then went on a tour of the ship, accompanied by Comm Warwick.

She visited the planetarium, where she talked to a number of the ship's chefs, before moving on to the library, where she signed and dated the visitors' book with a pen made from part of a propeller on the original Queen Elizabeth ship.

The pen had been presented to Comm Warwick's father by the Queen Mother.

Showing only a very slight limp from her operation, the Queen then moved on to the heart of the ship - the bridge - where Comm Warwick showed her the controls as she looked out over the now blue skies of Southampton port.

The Queen then moved on to one of the many pool areas on the ship, where she met more ship staff and Cunard employees.