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Queen’s portrait in pride of place on Queen Mary 2

Following Queen Mary 2’s substantial refurbishment, the Grand Lobby is to be further enhanced by the addition of a specially-commissioned oil painting of the Queen.

The Queen named the Queen Mary 2 during a spectacular ceremony on January 8, 2004.

The work of talented portrait painter Gail Graham depicts the Queen during her final visit to the QE2 in Southampton on June 2, 2008.

Gail Graham’s portrait of the Queen hangs in the Grand Lobby

Says Peter Shanks, Cunard president: “Her Majesty has named four Cunard ships - Caronia (1947), Queen Elizabeth 2 (1967), Queen Mary 2 (2004) and Queen Elizabeth (2010). We had a magnificent Cunard-commissioned portrait of her by Sir Oswald Birley which originally hung on Caronia and then QE2, and we have the celebrated official portrait of her on board Queen Elizabeth which was painted last year by Isobel Peachey. So it is with great pleasure that we extend this tradition to our flagship Queen Mary 2.

“I am delighted that we will be hanging this magnificent oil painting by Gail Graham in so prominent a position as the Grand Lobby – the main entrance to Queen Mary 2.”

Gail Graham was born in Fulham, west London, but brought up in the USA. After a career in advertising in Los Angeles, she returned to London as Art Director of the colour magazine of ‘The European’.

Subsequently she took up portraiture full time, and currently works at her studio in Chelsea.

Gail Graham said: “Not only is it an honour to receive a commission for a painting of The Queen, it is a particular honour to receive one for a portrait which will hang in so significant a place as Queen Mary 2. Most of my portraits are in private hands, so it is gratifying that this will be seen by so many.”