Table of Contents
British actress Hannah Waddingham’s professional success seems to have no limits at the moment, and now she’s even set to become godmother of a Princess ship.
After hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK last year, 49-year-old Waddingham’s name seems to be everywhere.
And now she has been awarded an honor usually reserved for the most prominent famous faces – and one that is often awarded to senior members of the Royal Family.
Actress Ted Lasso has been named godmother of Princess Cruise Line’s Sun Princess ‘Love Boat’, according to reports People Magazine.
The title means that Waddingham follows in the footsteps of Kate Middleton, Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II, who have been “godfathers” of cruising.
British actress Hannah Waddingham’s professional success seems to have no limits at the moment, and now she’s even set to become godmother of a Princess ship.
Actress Ted Lasso has been named godmother of Princess Cruise Line’s Sun Princess ‘Love Boat’
But the honor is just the latest example of Waddingham’s seemingly growing connections with the royal family as his career reaches new heights of success.
As she cements her place as the nation’s sweetheart, her association with the royal family has grown.
From hosting the Earthshot Award alongside Prince William to entertaining both King Charles and Kate, Hannah appears to be the royals’ new favorite celebrity.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at all the times the former Game Of Thrones star appeared to be the royal favourite, winning them over with her charisma and talent.
Following in the footsteps of royalty as a cruise godmother
Kate (pictured in 2021) became godmother to Princess Cruises’ first royal-class ship, Royal Princess, in 2013.
Earlier this week it was revealed that Waddingham is the latest star to be dubbed the ‘godmother’ of a cruise ship.
Hannah said PEOPLE magazine: ‘I couldn’t believe they had asked me to be a ship’s godmother, since I grew up around ships all my life and my grandfather was in the Navy’s Atlantic Convoy.
‘Being asked to be a part of this beautiful honor is a “pinch me” moment.
“I am also honored to be in the esteemed company of previous Princess Ships godparents, including Diana, Princess of Wales, HRH The Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, Audrey Hepburn, Martha Stewart and many others.”
Princess Diana was considered the princess royal’s godmother in 1984.
Meanwhile, Kate became godmother to Princess Cruises’ first royal-class ship, Royal Princess, in 2013, her last public engagement before having Prince George.
He cut a ribbon to release a bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial champagne and smash it against the hull.
The late Queen Elizabeth herself was the godmother of a series of cruise ships, three of which were operated by luxury Cunard liners.
The monarch launched the Queen Elizabeth II ship in 1967, and its first passenger was the now King Charles.
In 2019, Queen Camilla was named godmother of the Saga Cruises ship, Spirit of Discovery.
Cruise godmothers are said to bring good luck and protection to ships on their voyages and is a long-standing tradition.
These ‘godmothers’ appear at a ‘christening’ ceremony and officially name the ship, while the ceremony involves breaking a bottle of champagne on the ship’s hull.
Other celebrity cruise godparents include Jennifer Hudson, Whoopi Goldberg, Dame Helen Mirren and Oprah Winfrey.
The Sun Princess can accommodate 4,300 guests and 1,600 crew members. It has an impressive glass dome with a stage with theatrical shows in starlight.
It even has a stadium and so many shops that guests can enjoy a high street style retail experience.
“We are delighted to welcome the brilliant and elegant Hannah Waddingham to serve as godmother to our sensational new Sun Princess,” Princess Cruises president John Padgett said in a statement.
‘Like Sun Princess, she radiates sophistication, beauty and wonder through her inspiring work as a talented, award-winning actress and performer.
“We are truly honored to have Hannah officially name our most stunning, luxurious and breathtaking Love Boat ever created and join an esteemed group of princess godmothers, including members of the royal family.”
Host of Prince William’s Earthshot Award ceremony
Hannah was at Prince William’s side when he hosted the Earthshot Award last November.
The Prince of Wales with (left to right) Lana Condor, Hannah Waddingham and Sterling K Brown during the 2023 Earthshot Award ceremony.
Hannah has made it no secret that she is a big fan of Prince William, calling him “quite an extraordinary man.”
The actress solidified her bond with the Prince of Wales after hosting the Earthshot Award ceremony in Singapore in November last year, a moment that made her very proud.
William donned a sleek velvet suit and bow, while the Ted Lasso star wore a dazzling black ballgown with an emerald sash, possibly stealing the show from her royal counterpart.
The pair looked perfectly coordinated, in a move that symbolizes how close Hannah’s ties to the royals have become.
speaking to parade magazineHannah referred to William as a “glorious gentleman” and revealed the sweet exchange in which she and co-host Sterling K. Brown told the prince.
“We were hosting together and he and I said to Prince William, ‘Sir, I hope you realize that you are above the rest because you are,'” she recalled.
And Hannah didn’t stop there. “That man is passionate about the environment and I was very proud to be there and be the figure listened to by his organization.” And she concluded: “he is an extraordinary man.”
Meeting Prince William and Kate at the Royal Variety Performance
Waddingham appeared to delight the royal couple at the Royal Variety Performance in December.
Prince William and Kate seemed completely taken by Waddingham at the Royal Variety Performance last December.
The show is held each year to raise funds for the Royal Variety Charity, of which King Charles is a patron, and is one of the few televised entertainment events attended by senior members of the British royal family.
Waddingham appeared to delight the royal couple in one of their last appearances together before Kate’s absence from the public eye and the news of her cancer diagnosis this year.
Kate and William were beaming as they spoke to Waddingham and even exchanged hugs.
Near the end of the show, Waddingham took to the Royal Albert Hall stage to sing The Christmas Carol O Holy Night, accompanied by the English National Opera.
The Princess of Wales was apparently spellbound by the performance and clapped loudly to show her appreciation.
She was seen turning to the person on her left to say: “Unbelievable, that was fantastic.”
Chatting to King Charles and Queen Camilla as he hosts the Eurovision Song Contest
Hannah Waddingham was right in the center while meeting Queen Camilla and King Charles at the Eurovision Song Contest.
As the United Kingdom hosted the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 25 years, Hannah was chosen to represent the country as host.
King Charles and Queen Camilla headed to Liverpool to see how preparations for the pageant were going and met presenters Scott Mills, Julia Sanina, Rylan Clark and Waddingham.
It was Hannah who significantly came between the royal couple and was seen laughing with the King as they posed for photos.
His moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
At the Emmys in September 2022, the actress paid a very emotional tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, Waddingham said the news was “like the death of a grandmother”.
At the Emmy Awards on September 12, she told Variety that she was “upset by how deeply upset I was” by the news of his passing.
She said: ‘I get emotional thinking about it. I sat with my dad on the couch and watched it all night until I couldn’t keep my eyes open because I couldn’t believe it. “It’s like a grandmother died.”
She expressed a very empathetic reaction to now-King Charles, explaining: “It affected me a lot more than I thought and the enormous pressure that our king now has on his shoulders.”