Let's go back to a Great Britain of 2016.
Brexit wasn't yet a thing, but trolls of the UK's internet had already delivered the world a bit of insight into all that could go hilariously wrong for those ready to seek out public opinion in an online format.
The Royal Research Society had, through an online poll, allowed the public to nominate and then select a name for their (at that time) yet to be built, leading edge polar expedition ship.
With the most votes received, "Boaty McBoatface" won the toss but was short lived in its success as the Research Society swiftly used their powers of veto and selected another name in record time. The RRS Sir David Attenborough was to be built and launched by the end of 2019!
Now, I may be a bit biased toward anything Attenborough, but who could really complain about an outcome like that? He's been delivering bed-time story worthy narration of animal antics for decades - he's the soothing grandfather figure we never knew we wanted!
Today, not far from the historic dock town of Liverpool, Sir David was joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in inaugurating the ship and setting her on her eventual mission to get the world some answers about climate change in those extremes of the planet's poles.
I love a good naming ceremony!
Alas, I wasn't invited.
In sharing themes of polar expedition, naming ceremonies, and ship-side celebrity appearances, I thought it fitting to share among the titles of travel news today. Enjoy one of a selection of videos produced specifically for the occasion.
I'm also pleased to share that the namesake, Boaty McBoatface, has been passed on to one of the small yellow ROVs which accompany the larger vessel!