Britain’s newest polar research ship is set to be formally named today by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in a traditional smashing of a champagne bottle against the hull.

The ship was built by Cammell Laird and was commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Its namesake, Sir David Attenborough, will also be in attendance for the ceremony today.

Specialist engineers are set to finish fitting out the vessel with highly advanced scientific equipment in the coming weeks. After a thorough phase of testing in the River Mersey and deep waters around the UK, the ship is due to start its first expedition in the polar regions in October 2020.

Cammell Laird chief executive John Syvret commented, "This is a historic day for Cammell Laird, and today's naming of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, arguably one of the most complex vessels afloat, underpins our re-emergence to the premier league of the global shipbuilding community.”

"It has taken 20 years to regenerate this infrastructure, capability and capacity, and I am extremely proud of all who have worked tirelessly to achieve today's milestone."

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