TOP Government leaders from Italy and Britain were set to witness the historic handover of Southampton's brand new Cunard vessel, Queen Victoria in Venice today.

As the Italian flag was ceremonial lowered on Queen Victoria and the distinctive Red Ensign was raised it signalled the moment that Cunard officially took possession of the ship from the builders.

The Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi together with Britain's Under Secretary of State at the Department of Transport, Jim Fitzpatrick gave the ceremony a governmental stamp of approval as Cunard took delivery of the latest addition to its fleet.

Next Friday, November 30, Queen Victoria will say her farewells to the Marghera shipyard, near Venice, where she was constructed over the past 18 months, and set a course for her home port of Southampton where she is expected to arrive at the City Cruise Terminal on Friday, December 7, at about 9.30am.

Carol Marlow, Cunard's president and managing director, said: "This ceremony to mark the completion of the ship, and our acceptance of delivery, is just the first of a number of significant events over the next few weeks. I am sure the British will take this magnificent ship to their hearts, as they have all Cunard Queens.'' Ms Marlow also congratulated the shipyard workforce at Marghera on its skill and commitment in turning thousands of tons of bare steel into a luxurious passenger ship in such a relatively short time. To ensure the hand-over ceremony had an appropriate British sense of occasion the Band of the Scots Guards were flown out to Venice.

Queen Victoria will leave Southampton on her sell-out maiden voyage at 5pm on December 11 as a glittering firework display lights up the skies over her decks.