Click HERE for some superb images from the naming ceremony. See Tuesday's Daily Echo for a picture special.

THE Duchess of Cornwall found touring Queen Victoria a real hoot today.

Accompanied by the Prince of Wales, Camilla pressed the button to sound the horn - strictly speaking the whistle - on Cunard's 19,000-tonne ship.

Just for good measure, the Duchess also sounded the second whistle on the luxury liner which she officially named this afternoon in a special ceremony in Southampton.

But despite months of planning there are some little hiccups you just cannot prepare for.

Instead of sending champagne cascading down the bow of the ship, the bottle clunked against the side without smashing, to audible groans from the crowd.

The failure of the bottle to smash is seen as an unlucky omen in the maritime industry but it did not detract from the glittering ceremony.

Camilla, dressed in a sky-blue outfit, and Charles had been escorted round the liner by Cunard's president, Carol Marlow.

The tour included a visit to the 830-seater theatre where Cunard has installed - for the first time on a passenger vessel - West End-style theatre boxes.

In the Royal Box, the couple met Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins while the cast from the musical revue Victoriana sang on stage.

Camilla and Charles then met some of the cast on the stage before the Duchess unveiled a plaque officially opening the Royal Box.

While aboard, Camilla also signed a picture of herself in the 6,000-book library where she and Charles also signed the visitors' book.

The hooter-sounding came on the couple's visit to the bridge of the vessel, which can carry 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew.

The Band of the Royal Marines from Portsmouth played as the couple arrived on the dock side where, among others, they were greeted by the ship's captain, Paul Wright, who has been with Cunard for 27 years.

Queen Victoria will leave its home port of Southampton tomorrow for its maiden, 10-day voyage around Northern Europe.

Amenities include seven restaurants, three swimming pools and a Queen's Room, where the life of the monarch, Queen Victoria, is reflected through a collection of works including photographs of the Queen, her husband Prince Albert and their children and grandchildren.

The Queen Victoria's first round the world cruise begins next month and the vessel will meet up with Cunard's other two queens - the QE2 and the Queen Mary 2.