Kate Middleton looked stunning as she attended the naming ceremony of Princess Cruise's newest ship. The Duchess of Cambridge, who is eight months pregnant, was seen in photos wearing a simple but elegant black and white printed dress from the store Hobbs, the Daily Mail reports. The dress was being sold online but sold out minutes after Middleton's appearance.
According to the Daily Mail, she flew to the Southhampton Docks in a helicopter to christen and officially name the new ship as Royal Princess.
During the ceremony the Royal mother-to-be listened to the brass band play before smashing a bottle of champagne on the ship's hull. The four gallon (15 liter) bottle of Moet and Chandon Champagne was too heavy for her lift so she cut a ribbon that sent the bottle flying forward toward the hull of the ship. The bottle-smashing was followed by cheers from the audience and kicked off the rest of the event's festivities which included a performance by pop singer Natasha Bedingfield and a formal prayer and blessing from the Bishop of Winchester, Newsday reports.
"I name this ship Royal Princess, may God bless her and all who sail in her," said the Duchess.
Middleton is now the godmother of Royal Princess, a symbolic position that dates back to the mid-19th century. The position is similar to a sponsor or patron. Other famous women chosen as godmothers of previous ships include the late Princess Diana, who named the first Princess Royal in 1984, actress Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and Baroness Thatcher. The ship is expected to make its first voyage to the Mediterranean this summer.
This is reportedly the last solo public appearance for Middleton before giving birth on her reported due date of July 14. She is also set to appear with the rest of the royal family at the upcoming Trooping The Color ceremony.
