STUNNING Zara Phillips made her first official public appearance as a royal in Southampton last night.

The Queen's 22-year-old granddaughter was with her mother the Princess Royal to name two new ships in a glittering ceremony at the city's docks.

Zara and the Princess Royal arrived by helicopter to name P&O's new identical superliners Adonia and Oceana.

Famous for having her tongue pierced the young royal was voted one of the world's most beautiful people in a survey earlier this year.

Wearing a full length black coat and a contrasting white scarf it was her first official royal engagement as a member of the Royal Family.

The pair, accompanied by the Princess Royal's husband Commander Timothy Lawrence, joined sporting stars and showbiz celebrities for the ceremony which ended in a dazzling fireworks display.