Five Liverpool icons are about to name new Cunard ship Queen Anne on behalf of the city, which will be the official godparent.
Spice Girl and author Melanie C, broadcaster and community leader Ngunan Adamu, local restaurant entrepreneur Natalie Haywood, Liverpool music and cultural legend Jayne Casey and British Olympian heptathlon athlete Katarina Johnson-Thomson will send a bottle of champagne smashing against the 249th ship to carry the Cunard name.
This morning, Queen Anne arrived in Liverpool – where Cunard began its first transatlantic crossing 184 years ago – ahead of the 4pm naming ceremony, which will conclude with a performance by operatic singer Andrea Bocelli, including his iconic song Time To Say Goodbye. Thousands have gathered to watch the event .
Cunard president Katie McAlister said: ‘Liverpool is the spiritual home of Cunard, and we are therefore delighted and feel it very fitting that the City of Liverpool is the godparent to Queen Anne. It’s testament to the enduring relationship that connects Cunard and the city in which it was founded to the present day when we officially named our new ship on the Liverpool Waterfront, in front of the Cunard Building.
‘We are equally delighted to have our five chosen Liverpool icons represent the city in the ceremony. All remarkable in their own right, they have inspired generations and collectively capture the essence of the city that has shaped global culture.’
Andrew Lewis, chief executive of Liverpool City Council, said: ‘It’s an incredible honour for the City of Liverpool to be chosen as the godparent of Queen Anne. We will always cherish our long-standing relationship with Cunard.’
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