The son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, was christened this afternoon at the Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace in the United Kingdom.
“Prince Louis was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who also led the baptism service of Meghan Markle in March,” Express reports. The ceremony lasted about forty minutes and was comprised of hymns, scripture reading, and anthems along with the baptism. The water used to christen Prince Louis was from the Jordan River.
The Duke and Duchess chose six godparents for Prince Louis, who attended the christening: “Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lady Laura Meade, Hannah Carter and Lucy Middleton.” Other attendants were members of the Royal family, including Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall; the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; the parents of the Duchess of Cambridge, Michael and Carole Middleton; her sister, Pippa Matthews and husband, James Matthews; and brother James Middleton, among other family friends.
Prince Louis, the youngest child of the Duke and Duchess, was christened in the same gown as his siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The baptismal gown was crafted as a replica of Queen Victoria’s oldest daughter’s baptismal gown, worn in 1841. This “handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe” was created “by the Queen’s dressmaker, Angela Kelly,” says Express.
This royal christening is the third for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, having christened children George and Charlotte in 2013 and 2015, respectively. “It is the first time the Cambridge family of five has been pictured together in public,” according to Express.
Following the christening ceremony, a private tea was held at Clarence House. Guests enjoyed “slices of christening cake, from a tier taken from the Duke and Duchess' wedding cake.”
BBC reported of the Duchess today: “She was heard describing her son as "very relaxed and peaceful," telling the archbishop with a smile: "I hope he stays like this."
Photo: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as she arrives carrying Prince Louis for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace on July 09, 2018 in London, England.
Photo courtesy: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Publication date: July 9, 2018
