Britain's Duchess Kate christens new Princess ship-spun1

<br>Britain's Duchess Kate christens new Princess ship</br><br>SOUTHAMPTON, England - Britain's Duchess Kate today christened one of the world's largest cruise ships in what is expected to be her last official solo appearance before giving birth. </br><br>In a rousing dockside ceremony, the Duchess of Cambridge, , now about eight months pregnant, sliced a blue ribbon with a scissors to send a nebuchadnezzar of Moet & Chandon champagne crashing against the hull of Princess Cruises' new Royal Princess. </br><br>Dressed in a black-and-white animal print dress and black hat, the 31-year-old wife of Britain's Prince William arrived at the dock in a dark Range Rover and walked the short distance to the christening stage set up near the ship's bow, smiling at the more than 1,500 invited guests as she went. Sitting next to Princess CEO Alan Buckelew, she then watched with the crowd as British singer Natasha Bedingfield took to the stage to perform her 2004 hit Unwritten. </br><br>The duchess said just 16 words during the 30-minute event, which also included a performance by British theater star Kerry Ellis. </br><br>"I name this ship Royal Princess," the duchess said after taking the podium, uttering the traditional phrase delivered at so many ship launches. "May God bless her and all who sail in her." </br><br>After the bottle smashed, blue and white confetti rained down on the duchess and other attendees, who burst into applause. </br><br>Before the duchess arrived, the at-times-traditional, at-times contemporary christening ceremony kicked off with a bagpipe serenade by the Pipe Band of the U.K.'s First Battalion Irish Guards, followed by a performance by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth. The event also included a blessing by the Anglican Bishop of Winchester, England. </br><br>In christening the Royal Princess, Duchess Kate was reprising a role played by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who christened an earlier Princess ship of the same name in 1984. </br><br>As Buckelew noted during official remarks, Santa Clarita, Calif.-based Princess has historic ties to Britain. For nearly 30 years, the line was part of Britain's Peninsula & Orient Steam Navigation Company (P&O). Princess was acquired by Miami-based Carnival Corp. in 2003. </br><br>"We can think of no more fitting godmother for our magnificent new Royal Princess," Buckelew said of Duchess Kate's presence. "Her Royal Highness is an inspiring ambassador for Britain ... <a href="http://www.dressinsight.com/prom-dresses-c-1249.shtml">prom dress outlets</a> recommend dressinsight.com and she is admired around the world for her style and grace. We're so honored she accepted our invitation to become godmother to our new ship." </br><br>At 141,000 tons, the Royal Princess is the ninth largest cruise ship at sea and the largest ever for Princess. It sets sail on its maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on Sunday. </br>

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RE: Britain's Duchess Kate christens new Princess ship-spun1

Original von Wnbdancj332 <br>Britain's Duchess Kate christens new Princess ship</br><br>SOUTHAMPTON, England - Britain's Duchess Kate today christened one of the world's largest cruise ships in what is expected to be her last official solo appearance before giving birth. </br><br>In a rousing dockside ceremony, the Duchess of Cambridge, , now about eight months pregnant, sliced a blue ribbon with a scissors to send a nebuchadnezzar of Moet & Chandon champagne crashing against the hull of Princess Cruises' new Royal Princess. </br><br>Dressed in a black-and-white animal print dress and black hat, the 31-year-old wife of Britain's Prince William arrived at the dock in a dark Range Rover and walked the short distance to the christening stage set up near the ship's bow, smiling at the more than 1,500 invited guests as she went. Sitting next to Princess CEO Alan Buckelew, she then watched with the crowd as British singer Natasha Bedingfield took to the stage to perform her 2004 hit Unwritten. </br><br>The duchess said just 16 words during the 30-minute event, which also included a performance by British theater star Kerry Ellis. </br><br>"I name this ship Royal Princess," the duchess said after taking the podium, uttering the traditional phrase delivered at so many ship launches. "May God bless her and all who sail in her." </br><br>After the bottle smashed, blue and white confetti rained down on the duchess and other attendees, who burst into applause. </br><br>Before the duchess arrived, the at-times-traditional, at-times contemporary christening ceremony kicked off with a bagpipe serenade by the Pipe Band of the U.K.'s First Battalion Irish Guards, followed by a performance by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth. The event also included a blessing by the Anglican Bishop of Winchester, England. </br><br>In christening the Royal Princess, Duchess Kate was reprising a role played by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who christened an earlier Princess ship of the same name in 1984. </br><br>As Buckelew noted during official remarks, Santa Clarita, Calif.-based Princess has historic ties to Britain. For nearly 30 years, the line was part of Britain's Peninsula & Orient Steam Navigation Company (P&O). Princess was acquired by Miami-based Carnival Corp. in 2003. </br><br>"We can think of no more fitting godmother for our magnificent new Royal Princess," Buckelew said of Duchess Kate's presence. "Her Royal Highness is an inspiring ambassador for Britain ... <a href="http://www.dressinsight.com/prom-dresses-c-1249.shtml">prom dress outlets</a> recommend dressinsight.com and she is admired around the world for her style and grace. We're so honored she accepted our invitation to become godmother to our new ship." </br><br>At 141,000 tons, the Royal Princess is the ninth largest cruise ship at sea and the largest ever for Princess. It sets sail on its maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on Sunday. </br>

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