Daily News

LONDON (AP) The Duchess of Cambridge has officially named a cruise liner at a gala ceremony.

The former Kate Middleton, wearing a black and white print coat and a black hat, boarded the Royal Princess for the naming ceremony, which included a blessing and the traditional smashing of a bottle across the hull.

The duchess cut a ribbon that set the bottle free moments before it broke open against the hull.

The ceremony in Southampton on Thursday included a brief tour of the ship for the duchess, who is expected to give birth to her and Prince William's first child in mid-July.

It is expected to be her final solo engagement before the birth, although she is expected to join other senior royals at the upcoming Trooping the Color ceremony.

The duchess has been designated the godmother of the ship, a symbolic position dating back to the 19th century. The actresses Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren have also served in this role.

William's mother, the late Princess Diana, also officially named a cruise ship at the same spot in 1984.

The new 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is scheduled to begin cruising the Mediterranean this summer.