This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22869788
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Duchess of Cambridge makes final solo visit before baby | Duchess of Cambridge makes final solo visit before baby |
| (35 minutes 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 in Southampton to bless the 3,600 passenger liner. | She attended a ceremony in Southampton to bless the 3,600 passenger liner. |
| The duchess, who is eight months pregnant, is expected to attend one more event before her baby is born. | The duchess, who is eight months pregnant, is expected to attend one more event before her baby is born. |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Music came from singer Natasha Bedingfield, the Band of her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth and the Pipers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. | Music came from singer Natasha Bedingfield, the Band of her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth and the Pipers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. |
| They lined the duchess's route to her seat after playing Pomp and Circumstance, sea shanties and a march called HMS Queen Elizabeth. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 the duchess was "admired around the world". | President and chief executive of Princess Cruises Alan Buckelew said the duchess was "admired around the world". |
| "We can think of no more fitting godmother for our magnificent new ship." | "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 blessed 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 at Saturday's Trooping the Colour ceremony. | |
| Meanwhile Prince Philip will miss the ceremony as he remains in hospital for an eighth day at the private London Clinic after having exploratory abdominal surgery. | |
| His son Prince Andrew visited him on Thursday for about half an hour, leaving without saying anything. |