Five Liverpudlians – Spice Girl Melanie C, broadcaster Ngunan Adamu, entrepreneur Natalie Haywood, musician Jayne Casey and British Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson – will represent Liverpool at Queen Anne’s naming ceremony in the city on Monday (3 June). 

Cunard said the iconic women embody “the heart and future of Liverpool, just as Queen Anne does for Cunard, and have been chosen for their significant contributions to culture at a local, national or international level”. 

Thousands of people are expected to gather along the waterfront to watch the naming ceremony, a tradition believed to bestow good fortune a new ship. 

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will kick off the celebrations before event hosts, Matt and Emma Willis, take to the stage. 

Cunard president Katie McAlister and captain Inger Klein Thorhauge will join the women for the naming which will see a bottle of champagne smash against the side of the ship. Queen Anne, the 249th ship to carry the Cunard name, started operating exactly a month ago. 

Operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli will conclude the ceremony with a performance which will include his iconic song Time to Say Goodbye.

McAlister added: “Liverpool is the spiritual home of Cunard, and we are therefore delighted and feel it very fitting that the City of Liverpool is the godparent to Queen Anne. 

“It’s testament to the enduring relationship that connects Cunard and the city in which it was founded to the present day when we officially named our new ship on the Liverpool Waterfront, in front of the Cunard Building. 

“We are equally delighted to have our five chosen Liverpool icons represent the city in the ceremony." 

Cunard’s first transatlantic crossing departed from Liverpool 184 years ago, and the city was the company’s headquarters for 128 years.