UK monarch to name new Cunard liner

Cunard Line has announced that the UK monarch will name the company’s new vessel Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony to take place in Southampton, England on Monday, October 11.

The naming will be a milestone in British maritime history.

“The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and named our current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. We are both honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner, Queen Elizabeth.”

Her Majesty was also present at the age of 12 at the launch of the first Queen Elizabeth on September 27, 1938 when she accompanied her mother, Queen Elizabeth, to Clydebank for the launch.

The Naming Ceremony will take place in Southampton on Monday, October 11, and Queen Elizabeth will set sail on her maiden voyage the following day.