Construction timeline
1965
5 Jul 1965 - The keel of Cunard's new flagship is laid at the John Brown Clydeside shipyard in Scotland.
1967
20 Sep 1967 - The QE2 is launched at 2:28pm by Her Majesty the Queen at the John Brown shipyard.
1968
19 Nov 1968 - The QE2 leaves the John Brown shipyard for the first time to commence her sea trials.
1968
17 Dec 1968 - The QE2 begins her second set of sea trials after her steam feed suffered oil contamination.
1968
23 Dec 1968 - The QE2 commences her main sea trials off the Scottish coast to test her sea-worthiness.
1969
2 Jan 1969 - The QE2 limps into the port of Southampton after major problems with her turbine engines.
1969
17 Jan 1969 - The QE2 has her maiden voyage postponed by Cunard due to continued teething troubles.
1969
18 Mar 1969 - Official handover, at 1:15pm in London and Southampton, of the QE2 from her builders to Cunard.
1969
24 Mar 1969 - The QE2 begins a series of sea trials off the south coast prior to her maiden voyage.
1969
30 Mar 1969 - The QE2 begins a mini shake-down voyage following repairs after problems with her turbines.
1969
18 Apr 1969 - The QE2 is formally accepted by the Cunad Line from the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde.
1969
22 Apr 1969 - The QE2 commences a proving voyage to Las Palmas before commercial service.
1987
20 Feb 1987 - The QE2's enlarged funnel is reinstalled during her conversion from steam to diesel propulsion.