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Camilla to name Cunard's 'queen' Camilla to name Cunard's 'queen'
(about 3 hours later)
The Duchess of Cornwall will officially name Cunard's new £300m luxury liner, the Queen Victoria, in Southampton. The Duchess of Cornwall has been touring Cunard's new £300m luxury liner, the Queen Victoria, ahead of naming the vessel in a ceremony.
The previous three Cunard "queens" were named or launched either by Queen Mary or the current Queen. The duchess, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, sounded both of the liner's whistles as the cruiser sat docked in its new home port of Southampton.
After the ceremony, the ship will leave for its 10-day maiden voyage around northern Europe. The pair were escorted around the ship by Cunard's president, Carol Marlow.
It will later sail to New York where it will meet up with the QE2, which it will eventually replace. Following the ceremony the Queen Victoria will leave for a 10-day maiden voyage around northern Europe.
The QE2 is being decommissioned and turned into a floating hotel in Dubai from 2009. The royal couple's tour included a visit to an 830-seater theatre with West End-style theatre boxes, where they met Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins.
Smaller but luxurious The duchess unveiled a plaque to officially open the Royal Box.
Built at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard, the 90,000-tonne Queen Victoria arrived in Southampton, Hampshire, last week and was opened for daily tours. Ms Marlow said: "The naming of Queen Victoria is made even more special by the presence of their Royal Highnesses and we are delighted that both our invited guests and the people of Southampton will be able to witness this exciting event."
The Duchess of Cornwall will be accompanied by the Prince of Wales. Firework display
Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said: "The naming of a Cunard queen is a very special occasion.
The new ship is smaller than the Queen Mary 2 but more luxurious
"The naming of Queen Victoria is made even more special by the presence of their Royal Highnesses and we are delighted that both our invited guests and the people of Southampton will be able to witness this exciting event."
Cunard said that although Queen Victoria was smaller than the 150,000-tonne Queen Mary 2, it was the company's most luxurious liner yet.Cunard said that although Queen Victoria was smaller than the 150,000-tonne Queen Mary 2, it was the company's most luxurious liner yet.
Among the new vessel's amenities are an 830-seat theatre, seven restaurants, three swimming pools, a 6,000-book library and a casino. Among the new vessel's amenities are seven restaurants, three swimming pools, a 6,000-book library and a casino.
There is also a Queen's Room, where the life of Queen Victoria is reflected through a collection of works including photographs of Victoria, Prince Albert and their children and grandchildren.There is also a Queen's Room, where the life of Queen Victoria is reflected through a collection of works including photographs of Victoria, Prince Albert and their children and grandchildren.
See inside the liner
A firework display will mark the departure of the vessel on her maiden voyage around northern Europe on Tuesday.A firework display will mark the departure of the vessel on her maiden voyage around northern Europe on Tuesday.
Built at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard, the 90,000-tonne Queen Victoria arrived in Southampton, Hampshire, last week and was opened for daily tours.
The previous three Cunard "queens" were named or launched either by Queen Mary or the current Queen.
Queen Victoria, which can carry 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew, will later sail to New York where it will meet up with the QE2, which it will eventually replace.
The QE2 is being decommissioned and turned into a floating hotel in Dubai from 2009.