Camilla marks cruise ship birthday

The Duchess of Cornwall is set to return to the cruise ship which she named at a lavish launch ceremony five years ago. Camilla will be guest of honour at a lunch on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria on December 13.
During the event, a reception in support of her husband’s own pet charity, she will present certificates to 12 Prince’s Trust apprentices who will have completed a period of work experience in the customer service department of Cunard’s parent company, Carnival UK.
She will also watch as a new official portrait of her is unveiled in the ship’s Grand Lobby.
Peter Shanks, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, said: “We were honoured that Her Royal Highness named this fine ship, and are delighted that she continues to display such an interest both in the ship and its crew as Queen Victoria celebrates its fifth birthday. The Duchess will always be warmly welcomed on board.”
A generous statement, given that superstitious mariners believe it was a portent of bad luck for the ship when the bottle used in the naming ceremony failed to break after Camilla pressed the button.
The December visit will be her third visit to the ship – she also spent time on board in July 2010 during celebrations in Liverpool to mark Cunard’s 170th anniversary.
Cunard has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the Prince’s Trust since 2007 and has raised more than £800,000 for its work to turn around young lives in the UK. Furthering commitment to the Trust, Cunard and its parent company, Carnival UK, will be taking an active part in the Trust’s ‘Get into … Customer Service’ work experience project.
The programme will give 12 young people aged 16-23 a placement that offers a mixture of practical training and experience to help them find employment within a customer service environment.
The programme will take place from December 3 to 14 and the 12 apprentices will attend the event on board Queen Victoria as a special highlight, having the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness, as well as touring the ship.
The new portrait of Camilla was painted by Richard Stone, an acclaimed artist who, over three decades, has painted most members of the Royal family.
He said: “It is a great privilege to be able to step, for a brief time, into the lives of others. Everyone has the most remarkable story to tell. It’s an honour to be in a situation where the sitter trusts me enough to allow me, through their portrait, to tell some of that story.”
The portrait will be unveiled by Queen Victoria’s ‘Madrina’ or shipyard sponsor, Maureen Ryan, who officiated at the float-out of the ship near Venice in January 2007.