“Relaxed and peaceful” baby Louis christened as Princess Charlotte sasses media
At last! Early this morning, the first footage and images of the Cambridges (Duchess Kate, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis) as a family of five were beamed across the internet and into sleepy-eyed royal watcher’s phones.
Christening day for Louis
Louis was christened in an intimate ceremony at Royal Chapel at St James’s Palace a few hours ago.
There were lots of things to note, including the fact the Queen and Prince Philip were absent, that Charlotte was trying out a slightly new look and that Prince Louis continues to be the snooziest young royal in existence.
Official word from the palace is that the monarch and Philip were never slated to attend the private event and had another engagement in the diary. Some are suggesting that ill health may be the real reason Louis’ great-grandparents were absent, although the palace is denying it.
Read more about the Royals:
- That smiley royal wedding kids photo was achieved with the help of a magic word
- Royal family shares TWO adorable photos of newborn Prince Louis
- Let them eat cake: Royal “middle child” Princess Charlotte turns three
A video on Kensington Palace’s Instagram shows Duchess Kate chatting to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. She says the sleeping baby prince is “very relaxed and peaceful” noting “I hope he stays like this.”
Princess Charlotte appeared in polite, subdued form on the way in (as almost five-year-old George eyed the media warily). Charlotte’s hair was parted in the centre, breaking from her usual side-part tradition and making her look approximately 22 years older.
Three-year-old Charlotte admired the robes of – and shook hands with – the Archbishop of Canterbury and The Dean of The Chapel Royal, The Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Chartres. Prince William congratulated Charlotte on her manners, saying, “Well done”.
While always beautifully behaved, she’s beginning to sneak in the sass of a slightly fed-up nine-year-old tween, and understandably so.
On the way out of the ceremony, looking a little worn out by the pomp and bluster, Charlotte eyed the assembled media, loudly telling her parents “they’re not coming” as the family trotted off to a special tea at Clarence House in her baby brother’s honour. #GurlBye
The more low-key George also shook hands hesitantly on the way into the church. He appeared much more relaxed, when it was all done and dusted, perhaps looking forward to cake and cucumber sandwiches with his grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles?
Prince Louis’ christening details
Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge was born on April 23 in the Lindo Wing of London’s St Mary’s Hospital weighing in at 3.8kg. He is now two and a half months old.
The gown
“Prince Louis wore a handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen – the original Royal Christening Robe, of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was made in 1841 for the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal,” Kensington Palace advised on Instagram.
One of the three top tiers of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's eight-tier wedding cake will be used for the Christening cake. pic.twitter.com/SVaspn3Rxi
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 9, 2018
The events
“After the 40-minute ceremony a private tea was held at Clarence House where guests were served slices of Prince Louis’ christening cake — made up of a tier of Prince William and Kate’s fruit cake from their 2011 wedding,” the ABC reports.
The Lily Font – which is part of the Crown Jewels – will be used for the service. The silver baptismal font was first used in 1841 and has been a feature of Royal Christenings ever since. pic.twitter.com/4jlgueTjT4
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 9, 2018
The ceremony
“The Lily Font – which is part of the Crown Jewels – will be used for the service,” Palace officials said in a pre-christening statement. “The silver baptismal font was first used in 1841 and has been a feature of Royal Christenings ever since.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, baptised Prince Louis. He was assisted by The Dean of The Chapel Royal, The Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Chartres, and The Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal, The Reverend Canon Paul Wright.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose two hymns, two lessons and two anthems for the service. The hymns were: O Jesus, I Have Promised and Lord of All Hopefulness. The anthems were: This is the day which the Lord hath made and Suo Gân, a traditional Welsh Lullaby. The lessons were from St. Mark 10: 13-16 and Ephesians 3: 14-19.
The guests
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (Charles and Camilla)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan)
Carole and Michael Middleton (Kate’s parents)
Pippa and James Matthews (Kate’s sister and her hubby)
Mr James Middleton (Kate’s brother)
The godparents of Prince Louis and their spouses
The godparents
Mr Nicholas van Cutsem – a royal family friend
Mr Guy Pelly – William and Harry’s good buddy
Mr Harry Aubrey-Fletcher – a school friend of William’s
The Lady Laura Meade – William’s friend (and wife of William’s buddy James Meade)
Mrs Hannah Carter – Kate’s school friend
Miss Lucy Middleton – Kate’s cousin
