The Queen bids a fond farewell to QE2 - the liner she christened in 1967

Touring the 70,000 tonne QE2 docked at Southampton, the Queen was making her last tour of the ship she launched on the Clyde in Scotland in September 1969.

Her tour included a huge slice of Britain's maritime history, as she met nine former captains of the vessel as well as some of the crew who sailed with the ship when it was requisitioned by the Navy as a troop ship in the Falklands war.

Queen Elizabeth II views the painting of the QE2 which she unveiled

The Queen also met Baroness Thatcher, one of 300 guests on board today for whom the victory in the Falklands was arguably her finest hour as Prime Minister.

Entering service in 1969, the QE2 has sailed more miles than any other ship and will make its final journey in November to Dubai where the vessel will become a floating hotel.

Dressed in a mauve woven silk crepe dress with a matching coat and Philip Somerville hat the Queen arrived at Southampton this morning and was escorted round the QE2 by the vessel's present master Captain Ian McNaught.

Among those she met before her tour was the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mary Fagan and the High Sherriff of Hampshire Michael Campbell.

Among the five existing crew members who served when the ship went to the Falklands and who the Queen met today was crew housekeeper John Davies.

Queen Elizabeth II meets with Baroness Thatcher during her visit to the QE2 today in Southampton. The Queen was making her last tour of the ship she launched on the Clyde in Scotland in September 1969

The Queen signed the visitor's book on her tour. She was the first to sign the book ahead of the vessel's maiden passenger voyage in May 1969 and now she will be the last to do so.

The Queen met various officers on the bridge of the vessel including staff captain Alan Dockeray and then she moved outside on to the starboard bridge wing where she gave a signal to the ship's most recent crew member, Cadet Jennifer Haynes - who joined the vessel in April -to sound the ship's whistle to salute Cunard's current flagship Queen Mary 2.

The great blast from the QE2's whistle appeared to startle the Queen and the officers. Alas the Queen Mary 2 did not hear the signal and was not able to whistle back as planned.

With trumpets blaring a fanfare, the Queen then moved on to the Queen's Room where she met a number of former Cunard executives including John Whitworth, who was the company's managing director in 1969 when the ship entered passenger service.

The Queen then unveiled a painting of the QE2 passing through Southampton waters created by Isle of Wight artist Robert Lloyd.

The painting will be presented to the people of Southampton in November when the ship leaves for the last time.

Addressing the Queen and the invited guests, Cunard managing director and president Carol Marlow said that this was a particularly poignant visit for the Queen as it was the last.

Queen Elizabeth II at the launch of the QE2 in September 1967

Ms Marlow went on: "The QE2 has been a symbol of all that is best about Britain. It is the most famous ship afloat but all things move on and the vessel will now be going to Dubai where it will be admired by generations to come."

Ms Marlow said that the QE2 had docked in Southampton 730 times and although the vessel will be missed throughout Britain it would be particularly missed in Southampton.

The Queen then had her picture taken with the nine surviving masters of the QE2 before meeting Baroness Thatcher, to whom she chatted briefly.

Entering service in 1969, the QE2 has sailed more miles than any other ship and will make its final journey in November to Dubai where the vessel will become a floating hotel

The Queen then enjoyed lunch with the invited guests.

For her farewell meal on the QE2, the Queen was served oak-smoked Scottish salmon with sturgeon caviar followed by medallion of beef tenderloin with dome of bitter chocolate mousse for desert.

The Queen and invited guests were able to enjoy Chablis Les Fourchames Premier Cru, Burgundy, 2005 and Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia, 2001.