Hi °C | Lo °C 
The naming by the Duchess of Cornwall of the new liner Queen Victoria recalls the launching back in 1934 of the first Queen.
Up to that time, the Cunard tradition had been to have their ships' names ending with the letters 'ia' - all 15 of them from the Berengaria and Mauretania to the Lancastria and the Ascania.
It was not disclosed till much later that the owners, having decided upon the new name Queen Victoria, had paid a courtesy visit to the Palace. They introduced themselves with the request, "Your Majesty, we would like to call our new vessel after the greatest Queen our country has known."
To this King George interjected: "Queen Mary will be pleased." So Queen Mary it had to be!
Now, over seven decades later, the Cunard company at last has its Queen Victoria. I wonder was the same courtesy extended to Queen Elizabeth? At least there will be those thankful that the Duchess of Cornwall does not spell her name Camellia.
J Claude MacQuigg, Belfast
