Princess Anne to lead city's Cunard celebration

Princess Anne will be given the first royal tour of Cunard's newest ship

The Princess Royal will lead the 185th anniversary celebrations of the the luxury shipping firm, Cunard, on Liverpool's waterfront.

The company, founded by shipping entrepreneur Samuel Cunard in 1840, has operated cruises from its home port of Southampton to destinations across the world.

Luxury cruise liner Queen Anne ship will arrive in the Mersey on 27 May, almost a year since it was named in Liverpool, and Princess Anne will be given a tour of the vessel.

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: "We are incredibly honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to Liverpool."

The Queen Anne ship was named in a ceremony in Liverpool last year

The princess will go to The Royal Liver Building for the opening of the company's 185th Sea of Glamour exhibition after her tour of the ship.

Organisers hope the exhibition will showcase the "glamour, grandeur, and cultural heritage" of life at sea through Cunard's history.

Ms McAlister said: "The opening of the exhibition is a fitting tribute to the elegance and legacy that define Cunard, and to the special bond we share with this great city."