All Aboard For The RRS David Attenborough Ship Naming Ceremony

It was an afternoon in Birkenhead for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the naming ceremony of the UK’s new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

The Duchess arriving.

The appearance follows news William and Kate will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from 14-18 October.

I simply cannot think of a better name than the RRS Sir David Attenborough. It's rather perfect isn't it? Yet you may be surprised (or not if you're living in the UK) to learn it wasn't the first choice.There was quite the debate about naming the ship Boaty McBoatface. Where did that little gem come from you may ask. It all began when the National Environmental Research Council asked the public to choose a name for the £200 million research ship. The choice left senior officials ashen-faced and they elected to honour one of the country's living legends instead. RRS David Attenborough received the fourth highest votes, with RRS It's Bloody Cold Here just four hundred votes behind in fifth place. Tenth place went to RRS I Like Big Boats And I Cannot Lie.

More from The Telegraph:

'But as a nod to the democratic process they allowed silliness to prevail by preserving the name for a remotely operated submersible. 

Boaty will travel with the DynOPO (Dynamics of the Orkney Passage Outflow) expedition on the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research ship James Clark Ross, departing from Punta Arenas in Chile on Friday.

The craft will be sent back and forth through a cold abyssal current that forms an important part of the global circulation of ocean water.'

Kate views Boaty McBoatface.

One of Britain's national treasures, Sir David Attenborough has been a groundbreaking force with his environmental work and his documentaries; the Life series, which collectively constitute a survey of plant and animal life on earth. If you haven't seen it, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's not only thought provoking and educating it's a visual masterpiece. It's available on Amazon. The natural historian recently collaborated with Netflix for a new eight-part series called Our Planet, which is top of my list one of these weekends. You might recall Charles, William and Harry attended the premiere. Have any of you seen it yet? The naturalist famously said: "I just wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored."

Sir David's connections with the royal family are many. We've seen the Duchess with him on numerous occasions in her role as patron of the Natural History Museum. During the opening of Hintze Hall, Kate quoted him in a speech in reference to the importance of experiencing the natural world: "Sir David Attenborough has famously talked about the fact that people will not protect what they don’t first care about, and will not care about what they have never experienced."

Kensington Palace said the ship "will enable world-leading research to be carried out in Antarctica and the Arctic over the next 25 to 30 years. Studying these remote regions plays a crucial role in allowing us to understand the changes in our planet’s oceans, marine life and climate systems. The ship will be available year-round to the UK’s research community."

William and Kate spent time with a team from Cammell Laird who have been involved in the ship’s build, including young apprentices. Founded in Birkenhead in 1828, Cammell Laird specialises in ship building, repair, refit and conversion as well as providing engineering services to the energy sector. They visited scientists who showcased state-of-the art equipment which is used to carry out research whilst at sea and in Antarctica. The Duke and Duchess also met schoolchildren involved in BAS’s ‘Polar Explorer’ programme, which encourages and supports schools to enrich their teaching of STEM subjects by educating pupils about polar science and the ship’s future expeditions.

Learning about the ship’s navigation systems and ice-breaking capabilities on the bridge.

The ship’s specially strengthened hull will be able to break through ice up to 1m thick. pic.twitter.com/Q6rZaDsM0J

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) September 26, 2019

During a speech, Prince William said:

'We are of course here to celebrate a true British marvel.

One that is strong, sturdy, and incredibly well engineered that deepens our understanding of the impact our behaviour has on the world around us, and arms us with the facts to do something about it, an icon capable of feats not seen before and potentially never seen again. And no – I’m not talking about you David. Those words wouldn’t do you and your lifetime’s work justice!

I’m referring to the hugely impressive ship behind us, named in your honour, that Catherine and I have just had the pleasure of looking around. The RRS Sir David Attenborough is a testament to the cutting-edge science and engineering expertise right here on Merseyside. It is also a testament to the UK’s world-leading role on polar research.

Through this state-art-of-the-art new ship, the British Antarctic Survey will help to expand global knowledge of the polar oceans, and the impact of climate change on this crucial region.

As last week’s climate protests the world over, and yesterday’s report on our oceans and frozen regions demonstrated, there has never been a more important moment for this ship to get to work. And there is no person more fitting for this beacon of scientific research to be named after than you, David. You have shown us how awe-inspiring the natural world is, and also how fragile and endangered it is. And you have inspired us all to do as much as we possibly can to protect it.
It is my immense privilege and relief to welcome Sir David Attenborough, rather than Boaty McBoatface, to speak.'

More from the Mail Online:

'Addressing crowds who had come to see the ship, Sir David said: 'It's no news to any of you that the world is facing great, great problems and the most aware of that are the young people of today, who will inherit this world. Great problems require great research and facts in order to solve them.

That's what this astonishing ship will be here to do, to find out the facts and find the science with which to deal with problems that are facing the world today and will increasingly do so tomorrow. There could be no more important function for any ship, anywhere in the world, than those which are going to be dealt with by this remarkable ship, at the cutting edge of science.' He said it is the 'greatest possible honour' that the ship carries his name.'

As the ship’s sponsor, the Duchess formally christened the ship and a bottle of champagne was smashed against the hull.

Kate said: "It gives me great pleasure to name this ship Sir David Attenborough and may God bless her and all who sail in her".

William and Kate met well-wishers.

The Duchess received flowers from children dressed as penguins :)

It is Kate's second ship naming. In 2013, when she was expecting Prince George, she christened Royal Princess in Margate.

The Duchess brought back her favourite cornflower blue Alexander McQueen coat with large pockets. It marked the fourth outing for the garment previously worn in Blenheim, New Zealand during the royal tour 2014, and chosen two months later for 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in Normandy. The Duchess also selected it for an RAF 75th anniversary event in 2016.

Kate wore her Emmy London Josie Nany block heel pointed court shoes.

Susan from What Kate Wore noted the Duchess carried the Asprey London Pochette Blueberry Bullskin bag. It retails for $1194 on Asprey's website.

Kate accessorised with her Mappin & Webb Empress earrings.

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In other royal news today, congratulations to Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi who announced their engagement today. The couple who began dating last autumn said: “We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement. We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can’t wait to be married. We share so many similar interests and values and we know this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness.”

Beatrice's ring was designed by jeweller Shaun Leane who worked closely with Edoardo. The wedding will take place at some point next year. Another page boy and bridesmaid outing for George and Charlotte.

In other news, the Court Circular notes Kate attended an early years meeting and a Royal Foundation reception this week. We'll see the Cambridges on Wednesday for a pre-tour event hosted by His Highness The Aga Khan at the Aga Khan Centre. Organised in cooperation with the High Commission of Pakistan, the event will showcase modern Pakistani culture.