Kate to become godmother... to a cruise ship: Duchess of Cambridge to name liner - just like Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren before her

Kate set to officially launch Princess Cruises' new liner Royal Princess
Duchess will go on board for tour before maiden voyage departing June 16
Diana, Princess of Wales named the original Royal Princess ship in 1984
Kate will bless ship before smashing bottle on the hull

PUBLISHED: 06:35 EST, 9 April 2013 | UPDATED: 09:48 EST, 9 April 2013

The Duchess of Cambridge is to officially name a new cruise liner this summer.

Kate, whose baby is due in mid-July, will be at Southampton on June 13 for the naming ceremony of Princess Cruises’ 3,600-passenger Royal Princess.

The official ceremony will involve a blessing, the celebratory tradition of smashing a bottle over the hull of the ship and a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards.

Kate's cruise: The Duchess of Cambridge will be at Southampton on June 13 for the naming ceremony of Princess Cruises' 3,600-passenger Royal Princess

The Duchess will also go on board for a brief tour of the new liner which will leave on its maiden voyage on June 16.

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Princess Cruises’ president and chief executive Alan Buckelew said today: '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.

Ship shape: The Royal Princess is a 'new generation' vessel for the Princess Cruises line

'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.'

Features of the new ship include a top-deck, glass-bottomed walkway extending 28ft (8.5m) beyond the edge of the ship, the largest pastry shop at sea and balconies on all outside staterooms.

Deck seven will feature Princess Live!, a 280-seat entertainment area with studio and café space for musical performances, television broadcasts and other events.

As for the cabins, the most expensive cabin is the Owner's Suite on the 12 night Maiden Mediterranean Voyage at £5,165 per person - that's £10,330 for a cabin.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise in December available from £499 per person for an interior stateroom.

Plush: A typical suite on the ship, all have their own balconies and the most expensive cabin £5,165 per person

Plush: The new Chef's Table Lumiere will screen off diners with a wall of light is set to be a highlight

Extravagant details: The Sea Walk is a glass-bottomed path suspended at the side of the ship

The Royal Princess will go on Mediterranean cruises this summer followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.

The new ship weighs 141,000 tonnes and its maiden voyage will include stops in Lisbon in Portugal, Gibraltar and Malaga in Spain. The total installed power of Royal Princess is approximately 85 825.4137 horsepower.

Princess Cruises has a history of celebrated godmothers including Diana, Princess of Wales (who named the original Royal Princess ship in 1984), Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren among others.

Seawalk: The ship features an over-water SeaWalk, which is a top-deck, glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship

Entertainment: Deck seven will feature Princess Live!, a 280-seat entertainment area with studio and café space for musical performances, television broadcasts and other events

Following in her footsteps: Princess Diana named a P&O Liner Royal Princess in November 1984

Famous godmothers: Princess Cruises has a history of celebrated godmothers including Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren

KATE'S CRUISE SHIP FACT FILE

3,600-passenger vessel
141,000-tonnes
The ship is a 'new generation' vessel for Princess Cruises
Complete with alconies for every stateroom
Larger atrium
Over-water SeaWalk, which is a top-deck, glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship
Plus poolsides cabanas that appear to be floating on water
Largest pastry shop at sea
Special Chef's Table Lumiere- private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light
Some 20 percent larger than Princess Cruises' next biggest vessels
Deck seven will feature Princess Live!, a 280-seat entertainment area with studio and café space for musical performances, television broadcasts and other events
Most expensive cabin is the Owner's Suite on the 12 night Maiden Mediterranean Voyage at £5,165 per person - That's £10,330 for a cabin
At the opposite end of the spectrum is a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise in December available from £499 per person for an interior stateroom
27 bars and restaurants onboard

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Just cannot stand pointless and unattractive Waity!

- Mick , USA, 09/4/2013 22:20

Click to rate Rating 2

May God bless her and all who sail in her. Why does Pippa spring to mind?

- LaBouche , Manchester, 09/4/2013 22:04

Click to rate Rating 1

ebdon9, adelaide, Australia, 9/4/2013 13:47 - For one thing, she is wearing Diana's ring, that immediately conjures up Diana. Then the countless dresses - as detailed by DM - that so resemble those worn by Diana, then the fact her husband is Diana's son... many reasons for comparison. However, she cannot be compared to the charismatic and hard working Diana, that is why it is merely superficial things that give rise to comparison.

- kate , austria, 09/4/2013 21:38

Click to rate Rating 17

...now that ship will be probably more cursed than blessed!!!!!............

- Lady Zil , Zurich, 09/4/2013 21:09

Click to rate Rating 4

why is Kate compared to Diana, when carrying a simular duty 30 years on. Diana had to use the press to her advantage due the awful way "the firm" treated her once she had produced what they wanted heirs. William allowed to chose his own wife, and he actually cares, and supports her, unlike his father.

- Julie42-Darlington , Darlington, United Kingdom, 09/4/2013 20:52

Click to rate Rating 4

Why do you have to compare everything the Duchess of Cambridge does with Princess,are the photographers nearby,Diana.She's dead get over it. - ebdon9, adelaide, Australia, 9/4/2013 13:47 The woman is not popular in UK and she keeps on bringing up Diana's ghost to promote herself !

- hector9012 , london, United Kingdom, 09/4/2013 20:14

Click to rate Rating 21

Such a cute day. I was there. Diana couldnt break the bottle and started gigling as only she could. It was adorable. Such a lady, such fun, so beautiful, and so chicly put together. Diana dressed as a perfectly put together Lady, not a trend follower.

- Katherine , Uptown_New Orleans_ LA, United States, 09/4/2013 20:09

Click to rate Rating 41

look closely at her coat, she's lost a button

- OMG , england, United Kingdom, 09/4/2013 19:41

Click to rate Rating 7

Where's Pippa?

- Jackie , London, United Kingdom, 09/4/2013 19:41

Click to rate Rating 13

Name the ship Pippa's bottom lol

- devils-advocate7 , London, 09/4/2013 19:16

Click to rate Rating 6

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