Cunard Line will mark the 170th anniversary of its first ship sailing from Liverpool with a royal visit.
The Duchess of Cornwall will be on board Queen Victoria, the ship she named in December 2007, when the vessel makes its first call on Merseyside on Monday (July 26).
She will help Cunard celebrate the anniversary of the company’s first ship setting out from the port in July 1840. The ship will be berthed in the shadow of Cunard’s former head office, the central building of Liverpool’s famous Three Graces.
The Duchess will tour of parts of the vessel she did not see on her last visit – including the galley, which will be in full swing preparing lunch for the 2,000 passengers.
She will sound the whistle from the bridge at noon and attend a reception to cut a cake to commemorate Cunard’s 170th Birthday.
President and managing director Peter Shanks said: “Cunard is honoured that Her Royal Highness named this fine ship, and delighted that she continues to display such an interest both in the ship and in the crew. The Duchess will always be warmly welcome on board.”