Thousands Witness Cunard’s Queen Anne Naming Ceremony
Thousands gathered on Liverpool's waterfront to witness the official naming of Cunard's new ship, Queen Anne. The event, held at the city's Pier Head, featured local celebrities including Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm and Olympic athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson. Representing Liverpool, they helped christen the 249th Cunard ship by releasing a 12-litre bottle of Champagne to smash against its side.
The ceremony, which also featured a performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, was a significant moment for the city. Mel C expressed her pride in representing Liverpool, mentioning her family's history of working at the docks. She was joined by other prominent Liverpool women, highlighting the city's strong community spirit.
The Queen Anne, a 113,000-tonne ship accommodating 3,000 guests across 14 decks, began its maiden voyage from Southampton on May 3. Captain Inger Thorhauge described the ceremony as a milestone, emphasizing the ship's modern features and new technology. Liverpool, once Cunard's headquarters from 1840 to 1967, remains the company's spiritual home.
Victoria Summers, head of housekeeping and a Liverpool native, shared her pride in being part of the crew, continuing her family's legacy with Cunard. Summers first joined the company over 30 years ago and expressed her excitement about sailing into Liverpool on the new ship.
Local couple Sandra and John Boggan from Bebington, Wirral, chose the tour specifically to sail in and out of Liverpool. They praised the Queen Anne as a "beautiful ship" with high specifications, reflecting on their long history of sailing with Cunard.
Susan Smith and Rosie Dunning, who visited the Pier Head to see the ship, were amazed by its size. Smith remarked on the impressive scale of the Queen Anne, having only seen smaller ships before. The event rekindled Liverpool's historical connection with Cunard, dating back to the first transatlantic crossing in 1840.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, highlighted Liverpool's significance as the company's spiritual home. She praised the enduring relationship between the city and Cunard, celebrating the official naming of Queen Anne on Liverpool's waterfront. The five Liverpool icons chosen for the ceremony exemplified the city's influence on global culture.
Andrew Lewis, chief executive of Liverpool City Council, echoed these sentiments, calling the event an incredible honor for the city. He reaffirmed Liverpool's cherished relationship with Cunard, marking a memorable day in the company's storied history.