Queen Victoria would have definitely been amused.

It was the most British of British occasions as Southampton's latest luxury cruise ship, Artemis, was officially named in a ceremony that could have only taken place in this country.

The band of the Royal Marines played while cathedral choristers sang, there was afternoon tea on the terrace of Osborne House, the monarch's favourite home on the Isle of Wight, and later, a champagne picnic in the grounds of the historic building.

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performed an open-air concert, fireworks soared into the air and even Jill Archer, the character in the radio soap opera that has become a national institution, read poetry.

One of Britain's best loved actresses, Prunella Scales took the starring role of Artemis's godmother to officially name the ship in a unique ceremony as the vessel enters service with P&O Cruises' Southampton-based fleet.

"It was wonderful to be asked to name Artemis as I have never done anything like this before," said Prunella, who has taken the role of Queen Victoria and did much of the filming at Osborne House.

"Back in 1956 as a child I did sail from Southampton to America and I can remember it was a fantastic voyage. I just love sailing and being at sea but unfortunately there just never seems to be enough time to do it all."

Another firm British favourite, Sir Trevor MacDonald, the highly respected presenter and news reader, was master-of-ceremonies for the event attended by nearly 600 specially invited guests.

For the first time ever in UK history the naming ceremony, that usually takes place with the ship alongside its berth, was performed while the ship was at sea.

After Artemis left the Mayflower Terminal in the city's Western Docks she headed down Southampton Water and out into the Solent before anchoring off the Isle of Wight.

After a gala lunch on board the guests gathered on the aft deck of Artemis to watch Prunella Scales, probably best known as Basil's wife Sybil in the comedy television series Fawlty Towers, say the famous words: "I name this ship Artemis. May God bless her and all who sail in her."

The choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sang during the ceremony and the Right Rev Dr Kenneth Stevenson conducted a short service of dedication while Patricia Greene, who for many years has played Jill Archer in "the everyday story of countryfolk" on the radio, recited John Masefield's poem Sea Fever with its opening line: "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky."

Guests were then transferred to tenders and taken to East Cowes where coaches then took them to Osborne House.

Even the misty overcast conditions did not dampen the event as guests wrapped themselves in green P&O blankets for the evening performance.