The Queen will be in Southampton later today to carry out the naming ceremony for the “the largest, longest, tallest and grandest” passenger cruise liner ever built – the Queen Mary II.

The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, will conduct the ceremony at the dockside adjacent to the QEII terminal at around 4pm.

The ceremony will also include performances by the The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Inglis, The Royal Choral Society and The Band of HM Royal Marines.

A son et lumière show and firework display will bring the Ceremony to a close at around 5pm.

However, due to security concerns no members of the public will be able to attend the dockside event. A television relay will be broadcast onto a giant screen at the nearby Mayflower Park, which will be followed by a ‘surprise’ act.

The scale of the £550 million QM2 project is enormous. The liner, which can carry 2,620 passengers and 1,253 crew, is as long as 41 double-decker London buses; or only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall (1248 ft); or 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall (984 ft.)

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, a former cruise ship steward, hailed today's event as another landmark in Britain's proud maritime history.

He said: "Today is a very significant day for the revival of the Red Ensign and for Cunard. I am absolutely delighted that the biggest liner in the world will be named and will sail under the British Flag."

On Friday 26 December 2003, the world's most expensive ocean liner – built in France – sailed into her home port of Southampton for the first time. On Monday, Queen Mary II will embark on her 14-day transatlantic maiden voyage from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale.

(gmcg)