A Royal Christening: Pregnant Kate launches new cruise ship

A beaming Duchess of Cambridge made her last solo public appearance before the birth of her first child next month today at the naming ceremony of the 1,082ft cruise ship the Royal Princess.Sporting a £169 dalmatian print coat from high street retailer, Hobbs, which she accessorised with classic black court shoes and a neat black fascinator, the Duchess walked up the royal blue carpet to a rousing musical welcome courtesy of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards.After a performance from pop singer Natasha Bedingfield, the ship was blessed by the Right Rev Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, before the Duchess smashed a £1,250 Nebuchadnezzar of Moet et Chandon champagne against the hull of the Royal Princess to officially name the ship.The Duchess, who is around eight months pregnant, took her place on a stage in blustery conditions that threatened rain and seated opposite in a large grandstand were guests associated with charities that have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or Prince Harry as their patrons.Captain Tony Draper invited the Duchess up to perform the naming ceremony on a nearby platform. Two youngsters, Isobel Rowbotham, 14, and her eight-year-old brother Charles, handed the Duchess a pair of scissors to cut a length of rope to launch the bottle into the hull.Before cutting the rope, Duchess chatted to the pair, then carried out the ceremony, telling the guests: ‘I name this ship Royal Princess, may God bless her and all who sail in her.’

Leisure

A Royal Christening: Pregnant Kate launches new cruise ship