Cunard is thrilled to announce that the City of Liverpool will serve as the Godparent of its newest ship, Queen Anne, in recognition of the enduring bond with its spiritual home.
Liverpool, the birthplace of Cunard, saw its first transatlantic crossing depart 184 years ago in July 1840, and served as the company’s headquarters for 128 years. The city’s deep affection for Cunard is unmistakable, especially when a Cunard ship arrives on the Mersey.
This bond was showcased by two of the largest maritime event crowds ever, with a million people for the QE2 in 1990 and over a million for the Three Queens Salute in 2015. In that same year, Cunard was honored with The Freedom of the City.
Representing the City of Liverpool, the luxury cruise line has chosen five distinguished Liverpool icons* to officially name Queen Anne.
These esteemed women, embodying the spirit and future of Liverpool much like Queen Anne does for Cunard, have been selected for their significant cultural contributions on local, national, or international stages.
The proud Liverpudlians are 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.
Queen Anne Naming Ceremony
Tens of thousands are anticipated to gather along the waterfront for the traditional naming ceremony, believed to bestow good fortune upon the new vessel.
The ceremony will open with a performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, followed by event hosts Matt and Emma Willis overseeing the proceedings.
The icons will join Cunard President, Katie McAlister, and Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge for a special naming ceremony, officially introducing the ship to its spiritual home by smashing a bottle of champagne against the 249th ship to carry the Cunard name.
The formal proceedings will conclude with a stunning performance by operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli, featuring his iconic song ‘Time to Say Goodbye’.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, 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 is a 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. This city shares a treasured bond with Cunard dating back to 1839 when we were the original home of the world-famous line. The naming ceremony was a magnificent showpiece that once again cast Liverpool into the limelight, and we are so proud to be forever entwined with Queen Anne as she sails the world. We will always cherish our long-standing relationship with Cunard.”
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