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Camilla to name Cunard's 'queen' Camilla names new Cunard 'queen'
(about 3 hours later)
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 Duchess of Cornwall has named Cunard's new £300m luxury liner, the Queen Victoria, in a ceremony in the vessel's new home port of Southampton.
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. But the champagne bottle used in such naming ceremonies failed to break against the 90,000-tonne ship, regarded in maritime circles as bad luck.
The duchess, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, said: "May God bless her and all who sail in her."
Earlier she sounded two of the liner's whistles during a tour of the vessel.
The pair were escorted around the ship by Cunard's president, Carol Marlow.The pair were escorted around the ship by Cunard's president, Carol Marlow.
Following the ceremony the Queen Victoria will leave for a 10-day maiden voyage around northern Europe. The tour included a visit to an 830-seat theatre with West End-style theatre boxes, where they met Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins and Sir Derek Jacobi.
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.
The duchess unveiled a plaque to officially open the Royal Box.The duchess unveiled a plaque to officially open the Royal Box.
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."
Firework displayFirework display
Tenors Alfie Boe, Jon Christos and Gardar Thor Cortes sang Nessum Dorma and I Saw Three Ships.
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."
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.
See inside the liner
Among the new vessel's amenities are 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.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/4720404.stm">See inside the liner A firework display will mark the departure of the vessel on her 10-day 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.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. The previous three Cunard "queens" were named or launched by reigning queens.
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. Queen Victoria will eventually replace the 40-year-old QE2, which is being decommissioned and turned into a floating hotel in Dubai from 2009.
The QE2 is being decommissioned and turned into a floating hotel in Dubai from 2009.