Cunard Cruises Queen Elizabeth reaches a major milestone as special ceremonies at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard near Trieste, Italy, were held in January to mark the float out of Cunard's newest liner. Cunard's President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, was joined by 79-year-old Florence (Dennie) Farmer, who served as guest of honour at the event.
Dennie's husband, Willie Farmer, joined
Cunard Cruises in September 1938 and served as Chief Engineer on both the first Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2 until retirement in October 1979. Since her husband's passing, Dennie has sailed with Cunard many times and her link with the two previous Queen Elizabeth ships is unparalleled. In recognition of this, Cunard has bestowed Dennie with the honour, in Italian tradition, of being "Madrina" to the third Queen Elizabeth.