ONDON, U.K. --
A
glowing Kate Middleton on Thursday made what was billed as her final
solo appearance before giving birth when she christened a gigantic new
cruise ship named the Royal Princess.
The
Duchess of Cambridge, as she has been formally known since her marriage
two years ago to Prince William, used a 4 gallon (15 liter) bottle of
Moet and Chandon Champagne to do the job — it was so heavy she couldn’t
swing it herself, but she cut a ribbon that launched the bottle toward
the hull, where it smashed as crowds cheered.
“I
name this ship Royal Princess, may God bless her and all who sail in
her,” said the duchess, whose baby bump was clearly outlined against her
black and white print coat.
She seemed the picture of good health as she chatted with others on the VIP podium.
The
duchess’s bottle-smashing performance was the highlight of a gala
ceremony that included a formal blessing and a prayer from the Bishop of
Winchester and a performance by pop star Natasha Bedingfield.
The
Duchess of Cambridge has been officially designated the godmother of
the new ship, a symbolic title dating back to an earlier nautical era.
She
and William are expecting their first child in mid-July. The baby will
become third in line for the throne behind William and his father,
Prince Charles.
William’s mother,
the late Princess Diana, performed a similar cruise ship christening on
the same spot nearly three decades ago.
The ceremony in Southampton on Thursday included a brief tour of the ship for the duchess.
It
is expected to be her final solo engagement before the birth, although
she is likely to join other senior royals at the upcoming Trooping the
Color ceremony.
The duchess’s
visit highlighted the importance of the new 3,600-passenger Royal
Princess, which is scheduled to begin cruising the Mediterranean this
summer.
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