Cunard's new ship, Queen Anne, was named in a grand ceremony at Liverpool's Pier Head. Cunard president Katie McAlister highlighted Liverpool as the 'spiritual home' of the company, noting the city's deep connection to Cunard. The event featured a stirring performance by Andrea Bocelli, which moved many in the crowd to tears. Thousands attended the ceremony, including Terry and Julie Fowler from Crosby, and Liz Walsh and Lyn Kelly from the city centre, expressing pride and joy in the occasion. Sara Radcliffe from Vauxhall was also present, despite missing Bocelli's performance earlier. The ship will set sail tonight at 10:15pm, accompanied by a spectacular firework display.
It was a night at the Pier Head that nobody in attendance will ever forget Perfectly summed up by @DanHaygarth1 https://t.co/fRMsf1h7mh
This was the moment Andrea Bocelli signed off the naming ceremony earlier today for the new Cunard Queen Anne ship. Tonight, locals will get to see the Cunard set sail at 10:15pm under a spectacular firework display at the Pier Head. https://t.co/4jnkZNSF4J
Sara Radcliffe, from Vauxhall, was devastated to miss Bocelli earlier but she and husband Paul have ‘come down to see our Queen’ tonight. They think the Pier Head feels complete when there’s a big ship in https://t.co/k6wTla1YOG
Crowd brought to tears by Andrea Bocelli's performance at Liverpool's Pier Head https://t.co/NbiYIpsaWa
The moment Andrea Bocelli walked out to perform at Liverpool’s Pier Head https://t.co/jJmNWMjeYE
Thousands watch as Cunard’s Queen Anne named https://t.co/BK9HyclpIb #bbcsouthnews
Liz Walsh and Lyn Kelly, from the city centre, were reduced to tears by Bocelli’s performance. They were proud that Cunard chose to stage the event in Liverpool https://t.co/8fplrLxXZS
Quite the experience seeing Bocelli on the Pier Head. Hell of a voice https://t.co/I45NbPQ53s
Cunard president Katie McAllister takes to the stage. ‘We could think of no better place to name our new ship than here in our spiritual home’ She said Liverpool was a place where everyone knew someone who worked for Cunard https://t.co/zpTz1NNTsG
Terry and Julie Fowler from Crosby have enjoyed their day, though they only got here 5 mins before the ceremony started. Julie said: ‘It was amazing. We didn’t have the best view but it sounded great, Bocelli was amazing’. Terry is pleased to see the whole city come out for it https://t.co/W3aEuGohyM
Andrea Bocelli brought the ceremony to an end with a stirring performance https://t.co/ILfSIkQcIx
Cunard president Katie McAlister says that nowhere in the world loves Cunard like Liverpool as she addresses the crowd https://t.co/nXeTupebw7
Memories of Cunard's 'spiritual home' in Liverpool https://t.co/lMgu1Cuumr #bbcsouthnews