Liverpool to host new Cunard ship naming ceremony

Liverpool welcomed Queen Mary 2 to the River Mersey in 2009

Liverpool is set to stage the naming ceremony for cruise line Cunard's newest ship.

The Queen Anne will arrive in her "spiritual home" in June as part of a "lap of honour" around the British Isles, President of Cunard Katie McAlister said.

The ship, the fourth in Cunard's fleet, it is currently nearing completion in Trieste, Italy.

"Cunard has an incredible bond with the city of Liverpool," Ms McAlister said.

"It is where our founder Sir Samuel Cunard began his Transatlantic line in 1840, so what better place to officially name our new ship than somewhere that holds so many special memories."

Queen Anne is currently being built in Trieste, Italy

The Queen Anne is expected to arrive on the River Mersey soon after sunrise on 3 June and the event will include a number of celebrations at Pier Head.

Plans include a special salute to the city where Cunard's pioneering transatlantic service - and passenger shipping itself - was launched in 1840.

"Liverpool is known the world over as Cunard's spiritual home and we are all so excited for the city to see Queen Anne up close on her maiden call," Ms McAllister said.

Cunard ships have previously attracted thousands of spectators to the banks of the River Mersey, including for the maiden call of the QE2 in 1990.

In 2015 the Three Queens celebrated the 175th anniversary of the cruise line on the river and thousands watched the Queen Mary Two, the Queen Victoria, and the Queen Elizabeth perform a series of manoeuvres to mark the occasion.

The QE2 on the River Mersey in1990

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said the official naming of the Queen Anne in the city was a "huge honour".

"The city and Cunard share a rich history... this is yet another prestigious, international event taking place in our city, casting Liverpool into the limelight once again and showcasing our enviable maritime offer.