Cunard’s spiritual home will host the grand Naming Ceremony for its latest ship, Queen Anne, on the iconic Mersey waterfront in Liverpool. Scheduled for Monday, June 3, the event will occur during a celebratory ‘lap of honour’ voyage around the British Isles.
Busted musician Matt Willis and his TV presenter wife, Emma, will serve as Cunard’s hosts for the event, which will see the ship reach the Mersey just after sunrise.
Arrangements are being made for the ship’s arrival to include a special tribute to Liverpool, where Cunard’s groundbreaking transatlantic service and passenger shipping itself began in 1840. The iconic Cunard Building serves as the centrepiece of the Three Graces.
The 14-night British Isles Festival Voyage will set sail from Southampton on May 24, with maiden stops in Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Invergordon, Greenock, Belfast, and Liverpool. Guests aboard the voyage will have a unique chance to partake in the Naming festivities before departing for a stunning late-evening journey to Cobh and eventually returning to Southampton.
The formal Naming of the Queen Anne, currently nearing completion in Italy, will be the highlight of the day’s celebrations.
Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to gather at the event in Liverpool. Prime viewing locations include Pier Head along the river, between New Brighton and Seacombe on Wirral, and the beaches at Formby and Crosby in Sefton. The ceremony will be broadcast live worldwide, ensuring global attention once more turns to a Cunard event in Liverpool.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “Cunard has an incredible bond with the city of Liverpool. It is where our founder Sir Samuel Cunard began his Transatlantic line in 1840, so what better place to officially name our new ship than somewhere that holds so many special memories. Queen Anne is the next in a fine line for our brand and she will be bursting with breath-taking moments around every corner, evolving our core values of luxury, sophistication, and glamour. Liverpool is known the world over as Cunard’s spiritual home and we are all so excited for the city to see Queen Anne up close on her maiden call.”
Matt and Emma Willis added: “We’re delighted to be part of such a fantastic occasion and can’t wait to join everyone in Liverpool for an exciting and action-packed day, full of surprises and celebrations. Mersey waterfront will be brought to life on 3 June, as world-famous entertainers are set to put on a spectacular show. It’s going to be a day to remember, and we can’t wait to welcome the fourth Queen to the iconic Cunard fleet.”
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