Queen Victoria to be Named by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall

Queen Victoria, Cunard’s new ocean liner, will be named by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, during a spectacular ceremony to be held in Southampton on Monday 10 December. The ceremony will start at 1530 hours and last one hour. Over 2,000 invited guests will witness the ceremony in a specially-built auditorium next to the City Cruise Terminal where Queen Victoria will be berthed. Details of the exact format of the ceremony are not being released beforehand, but Cunard’s new Queen will be christened using a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

Members of the general public are welcome to watch the ceremony in the adjacent Mayflower Park where large screens will be erected.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:

“The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion. 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”.

Queen Victoria will arrive in Southampton for the first time at 0930 hours on Friday 7 December – another event which can be witnessed from Mayflower Park.

A splendid firework display will mark her departure on the Maiden Voyage at 1700 hours, on Tuesday 11 December. Again, Queen Victoria’s departure and fireworks will be best viewed from Mayflower Park.