A famous Clyde steamer that once carried passengers including the Queen Mother and King George V could be sailing on the river again in little more than two years.

HRH the Princess Royal made the announcement on Friday during a visit to the TS Queen Mary, which is undergoing careful restoration in Glasgow.

Originally it was planned that the ship, which was built at the world-famous William Denny yard in Dumbarton and was launched in 1933, would be permanently berthed at Pacific Quay, next to the Glasgow Science Centre, where her focus was to have been on heritage and maritime training.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: TS Queen Mary [Image: Friends of TS Queen Mary]TS Queen Mary [Image: Friends of TS Queen Mary]

However, it has now been decided that the vessel will sail again on the Clyde, to support the post-pandemic recovery and help boost tourism.

The charity Friends of TS Queen Mary, which is leading the ship's restoration, says it has been “overwhelmed by the generosity of corporate donors and individuals”.

Iain Sim, chairman of the Friends, said: “It is entirely fitting that this announcement should be made by HRH The Princess Royal, given the strong family connection TS Queen Mary has - not just to her great grandmother Queen Mary, after whom the ship is named, but to the wider royal family.

“When Her Royal Highness became royal patron of the ship three years ago to the day it re-established that important royal link.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: Ian Sim, chairman of the Friends of TS Queen MaryIan Sim, chairman of the Friends of TS Queen Mary

“TS Queen Mary also has a special place in the hearts and minds of those in Britain and beyond who recall this iconic ship and its unrivalled place in the life of the River Clyde.

“Thanks to the backing of our wonderful supporters, both individual and corporate and those whose hard work is defining this restoration, TS Queen Mary will set sail once again.

“While TS Queen Mary’s incredible history can only be understood looking backwards, her legacy must be lived looking forward.”

It is hoped TS Queen Mary will be back in service offering Clyde cruises by the summer of 2024.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: In her early years TS Queen Mary steams past the Finnieston CraneIn her early years TS Queen Mary steams past the Finnieston Crane

The ship was withdrawn from Clyde service in 1977, and four years later was towed to London, where she was used as a floating restaurant on the Thames.

Plans to relocate the ship to the French port of La Rochelle saw her towed to Tilbury in 2009, but those plans fell through and she languished at the Essex port for more than six years, facing an increasingly uncertain future.

The vessel was sold at auction to the Friends of TS Queen Mary in 2015, and was towed back to the Clyde in May of the following year, eventually returning to her original home port of Glasgow in November 2016, and a berth next to the Glasgow Science Centre.

Since restoration work began, the Friends of TS Queen Mary have raised and invested £3.8 million of cash and in-kind support in the project.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: The Queen Mary receives a lick of paint after her return to the Clyde in 2016The Queen Mary receives a lick of paint after her return to the Clyde in 2016

Substantial work is still needed and the ship requires new engines, among other things.

In her heyday, the vessel carried 13,000 passengers each week and was known as “Britain’s Finest Pleasure Steamer”.

She was a fleetmate for 30 years of the world-famous paddle steamer Waverley, and then for a few short years before the Queen Mary's withdrawal, the two ships operated as rivals - the Waverley owned by the Paddle Stewamer Preservation Society, the Queen Mary by Caledonian MacBrayne.

The Queen Mary's Glasgow berth today is just a few yards from that of the Waverley.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: The charity's patron Robbie Coltrane pictured next to the ship shortly after it was towed from Tilbury to the Clyde in May 2016The charity's patron Robbie Coltrane pictured next to the ship shortly after it was towed from Tilbury to the Clyde in May 2016

Royal passengers to have sailed aboard the last surviving Clyde turbine steamer included the then Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret while other famous people to step aboard included then US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Viscount Montgomery of Alamein and music hall legend Sir Harry Lauder.

Actor and TV presenter Robbie Coltrane, the patron of the charity, said: “I always dared to say that we could put engines back in her and sail her down the Clyde like she did in 1933.

“I believed it could be done, and I believed that it should be done.

“TS Queen Mary is as relevant in the 21st century as she was almost 90 years ago.

“Now she is coming back to reclaim her throne.”