Eight months pregnant Kate launches new cruise ship with a £1,250 Nebuchadnezzar of Moet champagne

A beaming Duchess of Cambridge made her last solo public appearance before the birth of her first child next month today at the naming ceremony of the 1,082ft cruise ship the Royal Princess.
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 walked up the royal blue carpet to a rousing musical welcome courtesy of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
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.

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.

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

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

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

The Duchess, who is around eight months pregnant, looked relaxed as she stepped from her chauffeur-driven vehicle to the quayside in Southampton, after making the journey from London by helicopter.
She took her place on a stage in blustery conditions that threatened rain and seated opposite in a large grandstand were guests associated with charities that have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or Prince Harry as their patrons.
Spectators were from East Anglia's Children's Hospice, Kate's charity, SkillForce which has William as its figurehead, and Harry's organisation WellChild.
Captain Tony Draper invited the Duchess up to perform the naming ceremony on a nearby platform. Two youngsters, Isobel Rowbotham, 14, and her eight-year-old brother Charles, handed the Duchess a pair of scissors to cut a length of rope to launch the bottle into the hull.
The youngsters' brother died from a brain tumour while a toddler but they were supported by Kate's charity East Anglia's Children's Hospice.
Before cutting the rope, Duchess chatted to the pair, then carried out the ceremony, telling the guests: '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 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.
Later the Duchess was taken on a tour of the cruise ship by the Captain and after meeting staff in the vessel's atrium she visited the bridge.
She enjoyed views across the Solent and was shown the ship's bell from the previous Royal Princess which was christened by Princess Diana.

 

The bridge has two side wings jutting over the hull from which the liner can be steered when she is being docked, and the Duchess was taken to view the port side wing.
During her gap year after leaving Marlborough College in 2000, the Duchess crewed on the Round the World challenge in the Solent and chatted to Captain Draper about her experience as she looked out across the water.
As she looked down at the quayside, the Duchess pointed at the ground and said: 'I'm used to going alongside and throwing a rope over.'
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.
Kate 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.'

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

Hungry? The Duchess of Cambridge is introduced to the Royal Princess' contingent of chefs as other members of the crew watch from above

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

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)

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 is no longer in service.

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.

Princess Cruises has a history of illustrious godmothers for past ships including Diana, Princess of Wales, who named the first Royal Princess in 1984, actress Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Baroness Thatcher.

The original Royal Princess 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.

'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.

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)

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