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Duchess of Cambridge makes final solo visit before baby Duchess of Cambridge makes final solo visit before baby
(about 1 hour later)
The Duchess of Cambridge has officially named a new cruise ship on her last solo public engagement before she is due to give birth in July.The Duchess of Cambridge has officially named a new cruise ship on her last solo public engagement before she is due to give birth in July.
She attended a ceremony and briefly toured the 3,600 passenger liner. She attended a ceremony in Southampton to bless the 3,600 passenger liner.
It is a long-standing Royal tradition, with Diana, Princess of Wales naming the ship's predecessor in 1984. The duchess, who is eight months pregnant, is expected to attend one more event before her baby is born.
The duchess' final official engagement before giving birth is expected to be on Saturday when she attends the Trooping the Colour. Observers said she looked relaxed and happy as - in keeping with tradition - she smashed a bottle of champagne worth £1,250, against the ship's hull.
Officially naming the Royal Princess cruise ship, she told onlookers: "May God bless her and all who sail in her", before smashing a large bottle of champagne over the liner's hull. Officially naming the 1,000ft Royal Princess cruise ship, she told onlookers: "May God bless her and all who sail in her", before smashing the 15 litre bottle, known as a Nebuchadnezzar.
Other women to have named Princess Cruises' vessels in the past include Lady Thatcher, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. Among the crowd were spectators from East Anglia's Children's Hospice, where the duchess is patron, Skill Force, which has Prince William as its figurehead, and Prince Harry's charity Well Child.
The duchess accepted an invitation to name the 1,000ft ship and become its "godmother" in line with the company's tradition. Music came from singer Natasha Bedingfield, the Band of her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth and the Pipers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
BBC correspondent John Kay said she was looking well and relaxed. They lined the duchess's route to her seat after playing Pomp and Circumstance, sea shanties and a march called HMS Queen Elizabeth.
It is traditional for members of the Royal Family and other noteworthy women to name Princess Cruises' ships.
Vessels in the past have been named by Lady Thatcher, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.
The duchess will now become the ship's "godmother" - a symbolic position in line with the company's tradition.
Lord Sterling, the former P&O chairman, said he had been present when Princess Diana named her first cruise ship, also the Royal Princess, in 1984.
BBC correspondent Jon Kay said she was looking "relaxed, calm and happy" as she took to the stage in blustery conditions.
Italian firm Fincantieri built the ship for Princess Cruises, which is part of Miami-based Carnival Corporation - the biggest cruise company in the world.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 for Barcelona 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 for Barcelona on Sunday, will go on Mediterranean cruises this summer followed by eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.
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." President and chief executive of Princess Cruises Alan Buckelew said the duchess was "admired around the world".
Pop singer Natasha Bedingfield, the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards also performed at the ceremony. "We can think of no more fitting godmother for our magnificent new ship."
The Right Reverend Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, read a prayer before the duchess named the ship. The Right Reverend Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, read a prayer before the duchess blessed the ship.
Her final engagement before she is expected to break from official duties to give birth will be on Saturday at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.