THE Duchess of Cornwall is to officially launch the Solent's newest high-speed ferry.

Red Funnel's Red Jet 7, built at East Cowes, will be named by the Duchess in Cowes on Tuesday.

Festivities start at midday and the naming itself will take place at 1.30pm alongside Trinity Landing, followed by lunch at the Royal Yacht Squadron for VIP guests.

Members of the public are welcome to watch from Cowes Parade and pre-bookable tickets are also available for a short excursion aboard Red Jet 7 from 2pm, with proceeds going to Red Funnel’s 2018 Charity of the Year.

Kevin George, Red Funnel’s chairman said he was delighted the Duchess had agreed to christen the new craft.

"The new £7m ship follows in the footsteps of Red Jet 6, which was named by HRH The Princess Royal in July 2016,” said Mr George.

Red Jet 7 entered the water for the first time June 6 at Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes and has now successfully completed her sea trials.

The 277-seat ferry features free WiFi, USB charging points, leather seats, toilets, air conditioning and TV screens with connecting travel information.

The aluminium catamaran will be four tonnes lighter than her sister ship Red Jet 6 helping to maker her more environmentally friendly, say Red Funnel, as she will produce lower emissions, reduced wash and be more fuel efficient.

During her visit to the isle of Wight the Duchess of Cornwall will also tour Osborne House, the royal residence built for Queen Victoria.

On arrival at Queen Victoria's private beach, The Duchess will be welcomed by Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench, the patron of the Friends of Osborne House, and the curator of Osborne House, Michael Hunter.

Dame Judi has played Queen Victoria twice on the the big screen, most recently in Victoria and Abdul centring on the elderly widowed monarch's relationship with an Indian servant.

The Duchess will see the newly- restored "Durbar Room", one of the locations for the film.

The Duchess will end her visit by meeting members of staff, volunteers and representatives of the Osborne Horse Trials, which opens to the public on July 25.