Duchess of Cambridge, names Royal Princess Cruise Ship

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, christened the Royal Princess cruise ship this morning in what is expected to be her last solo public engagement before baby. Wearing a chic animal print coat and black hat, the pregnant Duchess officially named the new Princess Cruises liner in a ceremony held this morning in Southampton, England. Princess Cruises had announced that the Duchess would act as godmother for the ship in April.

Kate christening the "Royal Princess" with the traditional bottle of champagne.

The Duchess cut a ribbon on the 3,600 passenger Royal Princess ship, saying, “I name this ship Royal Princess. May God bless her and all who sail in her,” before smashing a bottle of champagne on the hull. They were the same words spoken by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, when she christened the first Royal Princess ship in 1984. The Duchess was also given a tour of the ship, which will now sail off on its inaugural cruise to the Grand Mediterranean.

Following the christening, the Duchess of Cambridge got a tour of the "Royal Princess."

Here she is introduced to the ship's contingent of chefs as other members of the crew watch from above.

Kate is shown a portrait of herself by President and CEO of Princess Cruises Alan Buckelew, which will be displayed in the ship's art gallery.

“It is a great honor for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the godmother to Royal Princess,” said Alan Buckelew, president and CEO of Princess Cruises, in a statement. “We are delighted that the Duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company’s British heritage and our commitment to the country.”

The Duchess of Cambridge arriving to christen the "Royal Princess" cruise ship.

Public figures have long acted as godmothers for new cruise ships. Actress Sharon Stone recently christened AmaWaterways’ new AmaVida in Portugal, while Andie MacDowell broke champagne over the bow of Uniworld Cruises’ Queen Isabella in her role as the ship’s godmother. Kristin Chenoweth will also act as godmother for Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ship when it launches in fall 2014.

The new Royal Princess cruise ship features the fleet’s largest top deck pool, an indoor golf range, a giant movie screen for nighttime, poolside shows, a 28-foot SeaWalk platform that lets guests walk over the ocean, and interactive water and light shows on deck at night.

Designer Style File: Today the Duchess of Cambridge won praise for one of her final pregnancy style statements, from the very designer whose coat dress she wore to the "Royal Princess" naming ceremony in Southampton, England.

Clearly elated that 8-months pregnant Kate chose to wear a £169 "Dalmatian Mac" coat dress from Hobbs Spring/Summer 2013 collection, a spokesperson for the brand told Marie Claire magazine, "It is an honor whenever the Duchess of Cambridge chooses to wear the UK high street." 

Kate accessorized the outfit with a black hat that featured a large bow and classic black suede court shoes. The Duchess finished her look with a small cream box clutch.