Cunard’s spiritual home hosted the spectacular Naming Ceremony for its newest ship Queen Anne.
The event took place on the world-famous Mersey waterfront at Liverpool on Monday 3 June during an introductory ‘lap of honour’ voyage around the British Isles.
Queen Anne arrived on the Mersey soon after sunrise on Monday. There was a buzz of excitmenet as crowds gathered to take photographs.
From 2.30pm, street theatre and choir performances popped up around the Pier Head and Princes Parade with musical maritime performances entertaining the crowds.
The special naming ceremony began at 4pm, hosted by much-loved TV personalities Emma and Matt Willis. An impressive line-up of Liverpool’s finest talent, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and performers from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts took to the stage, as well as special guests and the official Godparent for the naming of Queen Anne, a moment that is signified by the traditional smashing of a bottle of Champagne against the 249th ship to carry the Cunard name. Cunard named the City of Liverpool as Godparent, read more about this here. The event drew to a close with a performance from operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli.
The celebrations continued with additional performances from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. The festivities then shifted to a lively funk and soul set by Craig Charles, ensuring the celebration continued until the firework finale, when Queen Anne departed.
Naming Ceremony Schedule:
07:00 – Queen Anne Arrives in Liverpool with a fire tug escort
16: 00 – Naming Ceremony commences
17: 00 – Live entertainment
20: 30 – Evening celebrations commence
22:15 – Queen Anne departs accompanied by a firework finale
22:30 – Celebrations End
For more information about Cunard visit www.cunard.com
Make sure to check out the gallery to look back at this spectacular event.
Event Date: Monday 3rd June 2024
Location: Liverpool Pier Head
