The Queen Names the Queen
ByI had the privilege to attend the naming ceremony of Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth in the U.K. on Monday. When it comes to regal and royal affairs nobody does it better than the British. And this event lived up to all expectations. A group of about 500 invited guests enjoyed a splendid ceremony on an uncharacteristically warm afternoon in Southampton. As part of the North American travel sales group, I also spent 3 nights on board the ship before the naming enjoying festivities.
The Queen arrived pier side at around 2:30 PM and was escorted on a brief tour of the ship by the Captain and Cunard’s president Peter Shanks. Outside, the assembled guests enjoyed music from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Her Majesty’s tour was shown on the two giant TV screens so we got to share her time on board, albeit on the “telly”. A great round of laughter went through the crowd when the Queen was visiting the bridge and was asked if she would like to toot the ship’s horn. Shortly thereafter a short blast echoed through the city. It seems even royalty likes to “touch the wet paint”. She met and chatted with the assembled senior officers on the bridge and then made her way to the gangway and returned to her limousine which drove her the short distance to the dais where the other dignitaries awaited.
As they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the following video will provide an insight in the pomp and circumstance that made up this historic day. More to come on the ship itself.
PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW THE NAMING CEREMONY:
