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Duchess of Cambridge to name new Royal Princess ship Duchess of Cambridge makes final solo visit before baby
(about 1 hour later)
The Duchess of Cambridge is to officially name a new cruise ship in Southampton later in her last public engagement before giving birth. The Duchess of Cambridge is to officially name a new cruise ship in her last solo public engagement before she is due to give birth in July.
The duchess, whose baby is due in July, will also step aboard Princess Cruises' 3,600-passenger liner the Royal Princess for a brief tour. She will attend a ceremony and briefly board the 3,600 passenger liner.
The ceremony will include the tradition of smashing a bottle over the hull. It is a long-standing Royal tradition, with Diana, Princess of Wales naming she ship's predecessor.
The Royal Marines Band, the pipers of the Irish Guards and pop singer Natasha Bedingfield will be performing. The duchess' final official engagement before giving birth is expected to be on Saturday when she attends the Trooping the Colour.
The duchess accepted an invitation to name the ship and become its "godmother" in line with Princess Cruises' tradition. The official naming of the Princess Royal cruise ship will include the traditional smashing of a bottle over the liner's hull before it departs from Southampton to Barcelona.
Other "accomplished and celebrated women" to have the honour in the past have included Lady Thatcher, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. Other women to have named Princess Cruises' vessels in the past include Lady Thatcher, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.
Pastry shop The duchess accepted an invitation to name the 1,000ft ship and become its "godmother" in line with the company's tradition.
President and chief executive of Princess Cruises Alan Buckelew said: "We are delighted that the duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company's British heritage and our commitment to the country." 'British heritage'
Features of the new ship include a glass-bottomed walkway extending 28ft (8.5m) beyond the edge of the ship, the largest pastry shop at sea and balconies on all outside staterooms. Italian firm Fincantieri built the ship for Princess Cruises, which is part of Miami-based Carnival Corporation - the biggest cruise company in the world.
The Royal Princess, which is set to depart Southampton on Sunday, will go on Mediterranean cruises this summer followed by eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.The Royal Princess, which is set to depart Southampton on Sunday, will go on Mediterranean cruises this summer followed by eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.
The naming ceremony, which starts at 11:15 BST, will be streamed live on Princess Cruises' website. President and chief executive of Princess Cruises Alan Buckelew said: "We are delighted that the duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company's British heritage and our commitment to the country."
Pop singer Natasha Bedingfield, the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards will be performing at the ceremony from 11:15 BST.