The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton Named Godmother of Princess' Newest Ship

Posted April 10, 2013

Princess Cruises announced that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton will name the newest addition to their fleet - the Royal Princess.

The formal ceremony will take place in Southampton, England, on June 13. The ceremony will include a blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards.

Her selection follows the choice of William's mother, Princess Diana, in 1984 to christen the previous Princess ship to bear the Royal Princess name.

Alan Buckelew, the line's president and CEO said, "It is a great honor for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the Godmother to Royal Princess. 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."

Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday, June 7, where she will commence a series of events for customers and travel agents, including a special naming gala on the evening of Wednesday, June 12. The ships inaugural celebrations will conclude with her maiden voyage on June 16.

The 3,600 passenger Royal Princess will cruise the Mediterranean throughout the summer before transitioning to a winter season in the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale.

Among the special features found on board the new Royal Princess will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chefs Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.