A Royal Occasion

On the 6th April 1995 after 4 days in her home port of Southampton and having been visited by some 10,000 people ORIANA was ready for her first true social occasion and the one surrounded by perhaps the most pomp and ceremony her naming, for any vessel a big day however being ORIANA it was only fitting that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would do the honours.
For the occasion ORIANA occupied  berth 43/44 the former Ocean Terminal, from this same dock many famous ships had set sail including TITANIC and the Cunard Queen's.
To begin the day guests who had stayed on board overnight were joined  by others who gathered in the stands that had been erected on the dockside alongside the ship.
The assembled guests were seated by 11 am and entertained by the Band of HM Royal Marines as the Royal train could be heard arriving behind the stands.
As Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh arrived  the choir of Westminster Abbey sang Fair Oriana, Beauty's Queen.
Shortly before taking their seats the choir performed God save the Queen before an introduction  by the Master of Ceremonies.  
More music followed fittingly Fanfare for ORIANA which had been especially commissioned for the launch of SS ORIANA 35 years previously.
After speeches and the blessing of the ship by the Bishop Of Basingstoke finally her Majesty took to the stand to utter the words all had assembled to hear.

Such was the anticipation of the event that it was aired around the world from the United States to Australia.  
The day concluded with a tour of the ship and finally a fireworks display.

 The first engagement of ORIANA's career had passed as planned now in less than 72 hours the public would get there first impressions of the new flagship.