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Duchess of Cambridge to be godmother to Princess cruise ship
The Duchess of Cambridge has been named as godmother to the new Royal Princess cruise ship. The ceremony at which she will name the ship will take place in Southampton on June 13.
The naming ceremony will be the highlight of week-long inaugural celebrations to welcome the 3,600 passenger ship into service.
Princess Cruises said the ceremony "will uphold British ship-naming traditions" including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards.
President and CEO Alan Buckelew said :"It is a great honour for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the Godmother to Royal Princess."
The Duchess joins other celebrated Princes Cruises godmothers Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princes of Wales who named the original Royal Princess ship in 1984.
"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," added Buckelew.
Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday June 7 where she will begin a series of events for customers and travel agents, including a special naming gala on the evening of June 12. The ship’s inaugural celebrations will conclude with her maiden voyage on June 16.
The inaugural period of Royal Princess also includes two short preview cruises prior to and following the naming. After her maiden voyage the ship will sail Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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