MILLIONS of pounds worth of art, hi-tech equipment and huge ballrooms.

These were just some of the impressive features aboard P&O’s newest cruise ship Britannia viewed by the Queen on a guided tour.

>> The Britannia naming ceremony: In Pictures

Her Majesty spent time meeting staff and special guests aboard Britannia just moments after officially naming the vessel.

Once the bottle of sparkling wine had smashed to pieces against the side of the 141,000-ton ship, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made their way inside to the vessel’s giant atrium, where they were greeted by staff who had packed out every corner and balcony of the room.

After a round of rapturous applause the Queen then signed the ship’s official visitors’ book before inspecting the Star Burst – an eight-metre tall sculpture/chandelier that hangs from the ceiling, representing the night sky that sailors have been gazing up at for centuries.

The tour began with a trip to the Market Cafe, where a line-up of celebrity chefs waited to greet her, including Marco Pierre White and Hampshire-based James Martin, pictured below.

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There was more glitz and glamour aboard the bridge, where senior staff awaited dressed to impress in full uniform.

Captain Paul Brown, master of Britannia, spent time showing the royals around the various stations after they posed for an official photograph.

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The Queen, wearing a peach and white Stewart Parvin tweed wool dress, then observed a P&O tradition on new ships as a ceremonial sword was presented to the captain by Lord Sterling, while Her Majesty also watched on as the ship’s whistle was sounded.

Finally she made her way to the Crystal Room Lounge, which is to host Latin and ballroom dances, where more staff and invited guests waited to greet her.

And it was here that the Queen met the Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Sue Blatchford, who spent some time talking to her about her role.

Then it was a return to normal service for the crew as the Queen and Prince Philip left the ship, with crowds building outside the docks to wave her goodbye.