All hands on deck for the Royal visit! Pregnant Duchess of Cambridge given tour of opulent cruise ship after launching it with a £1,250 Nebuchadnezzar of champagne
- The christening ceremony for the Royal Princess took place at the Ocean Docks in Southampton
- The christening is the Duchess' last solo public appearance before the birth of her child next month
- Princess Diana christened the first Royal Princess in the same spot in 1984
- After the ceremony, the Duchess was shown around the bridge by Captain Tony Draper
- The Duchess wore a £169 dalmatian print coat by high street brand, Hobbs
- She smashed a Nebuchadnezzar of champagne worth £1,250 to christen the Royal Princess
- A Nebuchadnezzar contains 15 litres of champagne - the equivalent of 20 standard bottles
- The Royal Princess will begin its maiden voyage to Barcelona today
By RUTH STYLES
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A beaming Duchess of Cambridge was today given a tour and met the crew of the spectacular cruise ship that she launched with a £1,250 Nebuchednezzar of Moet et Chandon champagne in Southampton this morning.
The Duchess, who was making her last solo public appearance prior to the birth of her first child next month, was shown around the Royal Princess by its captain, Tony Draper.
She enjoyed views across the Solent and was shown the ship's bell from the previous Royal Princess, which was christened by Princess Diana in 1984 in the same spot.
The Duchess chatted to Captain Draper about her experiences of sailing in the Solent when she was part of a small boat crew during the 2000 Round the World challenge.
As she looked down at the quayside, the Duchess pointed at the ground and quipped: 'I'm used to going alongside and throwing a rope over.'
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Hungry? The Duchess of Cambridge is introduced to the Royal Princess' contingent of chefs as other members of the crew watch from above
Grand entrance: The Duchess of Cambridge strides through the ship's opulent atrium during a tour on the arm of commanding officer, Captain Tony Draper
Is that me? The Duchess is shown a portrait of herself by President and CEO of Princess Cruises Alan Buckelew, which will be displayed in the ship's art gallery
Officer class: The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to officers belonging to the crew of the cruise ship Royal Princess during a tour of the vessel
Captain Kate: The Duchess tries out a few buttons up on the Royal Princess' bridge much to the delight of Princess Cruises CEO, Alan Buckelew
Driver's seat: Captain Tony Draper gives the Duchess of Cambridge a guided tour of the Royal Princess' state-of-the-art bridge area
Near miss: The Duchess of Cambridge blinks as the Nebuchadnezzar smashes against the ship's hull just metres from her face
Crash! The Duchess of Cambridge looks on as the vast Nebuchednezzar of champagne smashes into the hull of the Royal Princess
OUR GUIDE TO THE BIBLICALLY NAMED CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE SIZES
Quarter 18.75 cl - 1/4 bottle
Half-Bottle 37.5 cl - 1/2 bottle
Bottle 75 cl - 1 bottle
Magnum 1.5 litre - 2 bottles
Jeroboam 3 litre - 4 bottles
Rehoboam 4.5 litre - 6 bottles
Methuselah 6 litre - 8 bottles
Salmanazar 9 litre - 12 bottles
Balthazar 12 litre - 16 bottles
Nebuchadnezzar 15 litre - 20 bottles
Captain Draper gestured to a button on a console and asked Kate if she would like to sound the liner's whistle. After a window was opened the Duchess pressed the control and a long low sound reverberated around the dock.
The Duchess laughed and smiled and described the experience as 'brilliant' adding: 'I was expecting something high pitched.'
Before leaving the bridge she looked around her and said: 'It feels very stable, doesn't fell like you're on board at all.'
While meeting staff in the atrium, she chatted to chief baker Antonio Distasio, who hails from the Italian city of Naples.
The delighted chef said: 'She told me she likes pizza but she can't make a good pizza. I have been making pizza since I was eight so told her I'd teach her and send her some recipes.'
On the ship's bridge, the Duchess's unborn child received an unlikely proposal from hotel manager Dirk Brand, 44, who lives near Valencia, Spain, with his wife and two-year-old son Luca.
'I said congratulations on her pregnancy and said I have a two-year-old son so if she has a daughter we could hook them up,' he revealed.
'I was being a bit cheeky but she laughed.'
In the ship's nightclub and bar area, the Duchess met representatives from Princess Cruises as well as local dignitaries.
Doug Morrison, port director of Southampton Port, said: 'She was delightful. She has this wonderful ability to make people relax.
'She said she's been to Southampton a few times but this was her first time on a cruise ship.'
Also present was former chairman of P&O Cruises Lord Sterling and his wife Dorothy. Lord Sterling was present when the Princess of Wales named her first cruise ship - also Royal Princess - in 1984.
He said: 'I remember when young Diana named her first cruise ship and she said she was quite nervous.
'I was recalling that to the Duchess today and saying today brings back memories for me of Prince William's mother.' He added: 'My biggest fear was that the baby would come early but we got through it without that happening.'
Sporting a £169 dalmatian print coat from high street retailer, Hobbs, which she accessorised with classic black court shoes and a neat black fascinator, the Duchess had arrived to find a royal blue carpet and enjoyed a rousing musical welcome courtesy of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
The Duchess looked relaxed as she stepped from her chauffeur-driven vehicle to the quayside in Southampton, after making the journey from London by helicopter.
Smiling broadly, the eight-months pregnant Duchess shook hands with officials and representatives from the cruise operator watched by guests and a celebrity contingent that included veteran TV presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth, actor Christopher Biggins and former Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon.
Ready...steady... The Duchess of Cambridge prepares to christen the Royal Princess with a £1,250 Nebuchednezzar of Moet & Chandon champagne
Maybe you should save it for next month! The Duchess watches as the £1,250 Nebuchadnezzar of champagne (right) crashes into the Royal Princess' hull
Two royals: The Duchess of Cambridge beams next to the new ship as Captain Tony Draper hands her the scissors with which to cut the rope securing the champagne
Having a smashing time: The Duchess laughs with the Royal Princess' commanding officer, Captain Tony Draper, after launching the Nebuchednezzar at the ship
Applause: Captain Tony Draper beams as the Duchess of Cambridge completes the Royal Princess' christening ceremony at the Ocean Docks in Southampton
People's duchess: The Duchess of Cambridge chatted happily with Isobel Rowbotham, 14, and brother Charles ahead of the ceremony
Happy: The Duchess enjoyed a parade courtesy of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards
Glamorous: The Duchess was stunning in a fabulous dalmatian print coat by high street retailer, Hobbs, as she walked through a throng of wellwishers
Daring: The Duchess picked a bolder than usual outfit, choosing a £169 monochrome mac from high street retailer, Hobbs
Thrilled: The Duchess looked happy and glowing as she arrived for her last solo engagement before the birth of her first child next month
Solo: The Duchess walks towards the platform from which she christened the ship (left) and stands for the National Anthem (right)
She took her place on a stage in blustery conditions that threatened rain and was seated opposite in a large grandstand that contained guests associated with charities that have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or Prince Harry as their patron.
Among the spectators were representatives from the East Anglia's Children's Hospice, the Duchess's charity, SkillForce which has the Duke of Cambridge as its figurehead, and Prince Harry's organisation WellChild.
After a performance from pop singer Natasha Bedingfield, the ship was blessed by the Right Rev Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, before the Duchess smashed a £1,250 Nebuchadnezzar of Moet et Chandon champagne against the hull of the Royal Princess to officially name the ship.
Captain Tony Draper invited the Duchess to perform the naming ceremony on a nearby platform. Two children, Isobel Rowbotham, 14, and her eight-year-old brother Charles, handed the Duchess a pair of scissors to cut the rope and release the huge bottle of champagne .
The children were chosen after their brother died from a brain tumour as a toddler at the East Anglia Children's Hospice.
Before cutting the rope, Duchess chatted to the siblings, then completed the ceremony with the words: 'I name this ship Royal Princess, may God bless her and all who sail in her.'
The bottle was released and flew into the hull, smashing to the sound of a large cheer.
The 15-litre Nebuchednezzar of champagne was the third to be smashed today and came after at least two trial runs earlier this morning. In total, the champagne bill was thought to be in the region of £4,000.
The Duchess then looked on as the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards staged a colourful parade to round off the christening ceremony.
Despite the ship's regal name, the vessel was not named after the Duchess of Cambridge. Instead, the name was taken from the original Royal Princess ship which launched in 1984 and no longer belongs to Princess Cruises.
The original ship is now known as the MV Artania and is based in Germany, where it is part of the fleet belonging to German cruise company, Phoenix Reisen.
The ceremony for the Finnish-built ship in 1984 was attended by the then president of Finland, Mauno Koivisto, and the vessel was blessed by David Cartwright, then Bishop of Southampton before Princess Diana completed the christening with another Nebuchednezzar of champagne.
Enjoying the day: Des O'Connor looked on as the Duchess of Cambridge cut the rope and christened the Royal Princess at the Ocean Docks in Southampton
Cheerful: Veteran actor Christopher Biggins beamed happily as he watched the Duchess complete the christening ceremony at the Ocean Docks in Southampton
Nice to see you... Sir Bruce Forsyth looks on as he sits with guests including Atomic Kitten singer Liz McLarnon and singer Lemar Obika
Celebrity guests: Sir Bruce Forsyth was among those who turned out to see the Duchess of Cambridge christen the ship with a Nebuchadnezzar of champagne (right)
Becoming a ship's godmother is a symbolic position similar to a patron or sponsor that dates back to the mid-19th century when leading women were selected for the honour.
'Appointing a godmother to name a new ship is one of maritime’s oldest traditions,' said Paul Ludlow, UK Director of Princess Cruises.
'Historically their role is to be entrusted with the safe guidance of a vessel and its passengers. We are thrilled to welcome HRH Duchess of Cambridge, godmother to Royal Princess, to Southampton and look forward to celebrating this historic occasion.'
'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,' added Princess Cruises CEO Alan Buckelew.
'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.'
The spectacular vessel arrived in Southampton after a lengthy journey from the Monfalcone shipyard where she was built, and was met with a rousing welcome from the Southampton University Brass Band.
Along with a a fully-equipped games room, casino and a spa, the vast cruise ship has a has a 28ft glass-bottomed viewing gallery, 10 different restaurants including one that specialises in steak and lobster, and 1,780 luxury staterooms.
Royal Princess is now the largest in Princess Cruises' 16-strong fleet, although it will be joined by a similarly sized sister ship, Regal Princess, next year.
The newly christened Royal Princess will now depart on her maiden voyage, which will take her round the coastline of Spain to Barcelona, via Vigo, Lisbon, Gibraltar and Malaga.
From Barcelona, the ship will embark on a 12-day voyage around the Mediterranean before a longer 30-day cruise that will take it across the Atlantic to the sunny Florida city of Fort Lauderdale.
It will then depart on a five-day Caribbean cruise that takes in Princess Cays in the Bahamas, the pretty island of St Maarten, the British Virgin Islands and St. Thomas before returning to the American port.
Test run: Crew members from the Royal Princess held a test run before readying the traditional nebuchadnezzar of champagne for the ship's christening ceremony
Fit for a princess: The Royal Princess steams towards Southampton ahead of today's christening ceremony which will be overseen by the Duchess of Cambridge
THE BIRTH OF A CRUISING TITAN: INSIDE THE ROYAL PRINCESS
3,600: Number of passengers the ship can accommodate at any given time
1,082: The ship's length in feet
141,000: The gross tonnage of the Royal Princess
Five: The number of stops the ship will make on her maiden voyage. These include Barcelona, Gibraltar, Malaga, Lisbon and Vigo
10: The number of restaurants on board
One: The number of casinos on the Royal Princess
Two: The number of royal princesses at the naming ceremony. One is the ship itself, the other is the Duchess of Cambridge.
1,780: The number of staterooms on the Royal Princess
30: The number of days the leisurely voyage to Fort Lauderdale will take
Four: The number of Caribbean islands the Royal Princess will visit. They include the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and St. Maarten.
Spectacular: The piazza is crammed with high end boutiques, while the staircase leading to the upper decks looks like something a Bond villain would own
Luxurious: Each suite comes complete with 100 per cent Egyptian cotton bed linen, a 37" flat screen television and a deluxe en suite bathroom
Panorama: The stunning Sea View bar offers commanding views of the surrounding ocean as well as a fully stocked bar staffed by expert mixologists
Maiden voyage: The Royal Princess' inaugural trip will take it to Barcelona, via Gibraltar and Malaga. After that, it heads across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale (above)
Glamorous: The Crown Grill & Wheelhouse Bar is the perfect spot for a relaxing sundowner after a long day browsing the shops in the spectacular atrium (right)
Luxury: Along with a casino, a spa and a gym, the Royal Princess also has its own fine art gallery for guests to enjoy
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