Queen Anne named in Cunard's spiritual home, Liverpool

Liverpool, in fact, was the 'godparent' for the ship.

The city was the birthplace of Cunard’s first trans-Atlantic crossing, 184 years ago in May 1840, and was the company’s headquarters for 128 years.

Confetti rained on the Liverpool crowd after the naming of Queen Anne

The naming honors were performed by five Liverpudlian icons, Spice Girl and author Melanie C, broadcaster and community leader Ngunan Adamu, restaurant entrepreneur Natalie Haywood, music and cultural legend Jayne Casey and British Olympian heptathlon athlete Katarina Johnson-Thomson.  

Cunard President Kate McAlister thanked the icons and 'all of the people of Liverpool for once again opening your hearts and welcoming Cunard and Queen Anne.'

Royal Philharmonic to Andrea Bocelli

The ceremony, hosted by Busted musician Matt Willis and TV presenter Emma Willis, opened with a performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and was capped by operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli. 

Later, fireworks lit up the sky over Queen Anne on the Mersey.

Fireworks over the Mersey