When HRH the Duchess of Cornwall uttered the traditional words “I name this ship . . .” at the christening of Cunard’s Queen Victoria (above) there were gasps from the audience as the champagne bottle failed to break.
Seen by traditionalists as a sign of bad luck, it sparked countless references to the “Curse of Camilla” whenever the ship was struck by the slightest incident or misfortune.
Either Cunard are very forgiving, or have no time for superstition, because Camilla will return to the ship on Monday for the first time since that ceremony in December 2007.
Queen Victoria will be visiting Liverpool to mark the 170th anniversary of the company’s first ship setting sail from the Mersey in 1840, and will be berthed in the shadow of the company’s former head office, one of the city’s famous Three Graces.
The Duchess will be escorted on board the ship by Cunard president Peter Shanks, and will be taken by the Master, Captain Paul Wright, on a tour of parts of the vessel she did not see on her last visit – including the galley, where chefs will be preparing lunch for 2,000 passengers.
She will also blow the ship’s whistle on the dot of midday, and is expected to cut a birthday cake to mark the occasion.
There’s no mention in the day’s programme of another attempt to smash the champagne bottle.
It would have been nice if QE2 could have been around for the 170th anniversary!