Captive Titan passenger Hamish Harding’s Cambridge college hosts May Ball themed under the sea

The college of Cambridge attended by Hamish Harding, the British billionaire trapped in the missing Titan tourist submarine, held a May Ball themed under the sea last night after refusing to change the theme because it was “chosen months ago.”

This year’s Pembroke College May Ball featured underwater decorations, submarine surf, and ocean-themed entertainment acts such as shanties.

Mr Harding, 58, is currently missing in the Atlantic Ocean after a trip to visit the wreck of the Titanic failed and the submarine he was in contact with lost his mother ship.

The ball on Thursday at 5 a.m., several hours before the submarine is expected to run out of breathing air for the five trapped aboard this morning.

May Balls take place in May week at the end of Cambridge’s academic year as a traditional celebration to mark the end of exams, and colleges typically have budgets worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Pembroke College, Cambridge proceeded with the under the sea themed ball as planned

The May Ball Committee posted this statement on its website a few hours before the ball

Rescue teams continue the search for the Titan submarine that went missing during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck

A statement on the prom’s website just hours before it was due to take place read: ‘We are aware of the distressing news about Pembroke alumnus Hamish Harding.

“Today’s May Ball theme was chosen many months ago and if we could change it now we would.

“All we can say is that we sincerely hope that Mr. Harding and the others aboard the submarine are found safe and sound. Our thoughts go out to the Harding family at this very difficult time.’

The theme of the prom was announced in February, but the committee yesterday continued to post images of submarines and dark underwater scenes leading up to the prom, including during Mr Harding’s missing period.

Guests paid up to £175 per ticket for a night of non-stop entertainment, revelry, food and alcohol.

Those in line for the ball on Wednesday night listened to sea shanties, and once inside, the students enjoyed music from entertainers including Fisherman’s Girlfriends, Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble, and The Lightwaves.

Among the food and drink offerings was a stand from fish and chip caterer Pimp My Fish.

A current student at the college also claimed on social media that the prom committee had to cancel some of its “promotional materials” at the last minute due to fears of insensitivity.

This would include footage of “a kraken pulling a submarine into the depths.”

The ball had a lot of underwater scenery like these jellyfish models

The ball was named: ‘Nautilus – Into The Depths’

The May Ball committee continued to post underwater images, including of submarines, right down to the ball itself

In addition to the logo, the May Ball theme was named: ‘Nautilus: Into the Depths’.

Although the May Ball committee, which consists of current students of the College, posted a statement on its website, Mr Harding was not mentioned on any of her social media accounts.

Photos from inside the ball show underwater-themed decor, and branding in front of the ball shows divers, submarines, and sea creatures like octopuses.

Some students were shocked by the decision to go ahead with the prom and theme at such an insensitive time.

Sam Hudson, who studies History and Philosophy at Trinity Hall College, said: ‘Wake up by candlelight at the May Ball now! Anything else would be disrespectful.’

Another current student wrote on Twitter about the theme: “Oh my God.”

A third added: “Omfg.”

Pembroke College and Pembroke May Ball have been contacted for comment.