A Royal date

All photo commissions are enjoyable, but one of my most high profile commissions over the last few years was the arrival & naming of P&O Cruises new flagship Britannia in the port of Southampton in 2015.

My brief was to capture this very important event in the long history of the port which also involved Her Majesty the Queen – no pressure then!

Forward planning was extremely important, but Mother Nature always has the last word, so I was at the mercy of whatever weather would be on the day!

The forecast changed many times in the lead up to the day, and even looked possibly dodgy on the morning. I was, however, treated to the most glorious of Spring days with an azure blue sky.

The friendly and skilful crew of the Harbour Master's Patrol Launch took me into the Solent enabling me the very best possible angles as Britannia majestically made her way home for the very first time.

The day of the naming ceremony was another lovely Spring day with Her Majesty the Queen performing this with all the pomp and ceremony one would quite rightly expect!

I was also fortunate to be on the very first sailing from Southampton.

This ultra modern ship also has many of the traditional features expected on a P&O Cruises ship, with the decor being very understated and classy, albeit with more of a hotel feeling.

The atrium features the stunning Starburst Chandelier at it’s heart and gives a real “wow” factor, not only as a first impression, but every time one sees it.