As the £470m Queen Anne cruise ship heads to Liverpool cruise line Cunard reveals details of the celebrity line-up for the spectacular naming ceremony including a top Italian tenor. Tony McDonough reports

Cruise line Cunard has revealed more details on the spectacular naming ceremony for its new £470 Queen Anne vessel which is to take place in Liverpool on Monday, June 3.

Top Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, will join the “stellar” line-up for the event taking place at Liverpool Cruise terminal. 

Bocelli will be joined by a line-up of Liverpool’s finest talent, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and performers from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. This event will be hosted by musician Matt Willis and his wife, TV presenter Emma Willis.

They will be joined on stage by special guests and the official Godparent for the naming of Queen Anne, a moment that is signified by the traditional smashing of a bottle of Champagne against the 249th ship to carry the Cunard name.

The spectacular event will draw to a close with a performance from operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli.

Celebrations will then continue with additional performances from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, and DJ Lauren Lo Sung.

The festivities will then shift to a lively funk and soul set by Craig Charles, ensuring the celebration continues until the grand finale, when Queen Anne departs with a backdrop of dazzling fireworks.

In April Cunard took delivery of the 113,000-tonne Queen Anne that was built at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice. Construction took five years and she is the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag.

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Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said, “Liverpool is known the world over as Cunard’s spiritual home, and we are thrilled to announce Maestro Bocelli as part of our incredible line-up of talented artists and performers for this special event.

“This celebration is a tribute to our rich history and a testament to the enduring bond between Cunard and the city of Liverpool.”

The celebrations are expected to draw thousands of attendees, marking another significant moment in the history of Cunard ships.

Andrea Bocelli added, “It’s an honour to be performing in Liverpool. This event promises to be a beautiful celebration of artistry and craftsmanship, which perfectly captures the spirit and elegance of Cunard’s new ship.

“To be taking part in such a historic occasion, in a city rich in cultural heritage, truly brings me great joy.”