Cunard names City of Liverpool and Spice Girl Mel C godparents of Queen Anne

Cunard names City of Liverpool and Spice Girl Mel C godparents of Queen Anne
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Cunard has announced the City of Liverpool as Godparent of its newest ship Queen Anne – represented by Liverpool icon Spice Girl Mel C – in recognition of the long-lasting bond with the line’s spiritual home.  

    Liverpool was the birthplace of Cunard with its first transatlantic crossing departing 184 years ago in July 1840, and it was the company’s headquarters for 128 years. 

    On behalf of the City of Liverpool, the luxury cruise line selected five distinguished Liverpool icons to represent the city and officially name Queen Anne. 

    All proud Liverpudlians, they 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. 

    These distinguished women were chosen for their significant contributions to culture at a local, national or international level.   

    “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,” Cunard president Katie McAlister said.

    “It’s 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.”

    Queen Anne naming ceremony 

    Tens of thousands of people were expected to gather along the waterfront to witness the time-honoured naming ceremony, a tradition believed to bestow good fortune upon the new vessel.  

    The proceedings were to open with a performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra before event hosts, Matt and Emma Willis, take to the stage to oversee the ceremony. 

    The icons will join Cunard President, Katie McAlister, and Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge for a special naming ceremony, where they will officially introduce the most beautiful ship at sea to its spiritual home, continuing the seafaring tradition by smashing a bottle of champagne against the 249th ship to carry the Cunard name. 

    “It’s an incredible honour for the City of Liverpool to be chosen as the Godparent of Queen Anne,” Liverpool City Council chief executive, Andrew Lewis, said.

    “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.”

    Formal proceedings will conclude with a stunning performance by operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli, including his iconic song Time to Say Goodbye. 

    Feature image: Cunard names City of Liverpool Godparent of Queen Anne, represented by Mel C (second from right.

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