The engagement of Prince Harry and American TV star Meghan Markle has sent the world in to a frenzy.
It’s even sent the cruise world into a spin with punters in Britain and the US now trying to pick which cruise ship she will christen.
For Duchess Kate, it was the Royal Princess which made her debut in 2013, and of course Queen Elizabeth II launched Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 as well as the Queen Elizabeth 2.
It’s been a tradition for the royals and movie stars – Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is the godmother of Holland America’s ms Koningsdam; Princess Charlene of Monaco christened Regent Seven Seas Seven Seas Explorer; Queen Sonja of Norway for Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Sea.
So what would Meghan Markle launch?
There are a number cruise ships rolling down the slip way, including vessels from Cunard and Princess – two brands which commonly have British royals christening their ships.
Cunard’s fourth vessel won’t be launched until 2022, but the Sky Princess (whose name was just announced this morning), will be launched in 2019 – just a year after the soon-to-be Duke and Duchess of Sussex wed.
Punters from Cruise Critic in the US and Cruise Weekly all have their theories on which ship Ms Markle will be designated.
Peter Knego, a cruise industry watched told USA Today he believes his money is on the Cunard ship. “This certainly gives the Carnival Corp. subsidiaries a fresh new candidate,” he said. The first Queen Mary was christened by the royal she was named after in 1934.
But others believe there is one obvious big launch that would suit an American actress like Meghan Markle down to the ground.
Carolyn Spence Brown from Cruise Critic told USA Today she hopes Ms Markle will be the face of a fresher and younger cruise line.
“When Meghan Markle (and I mean when, not if) gets called upon to handle godmothering duties for a new cruise ship, the obvious money would be on Virgin Voyages’ first newbuild,” she said.
“The line is being designed to be “fresh, young, and spirited, all great qualities that Meghan appears to have in spades.”
