Today Prince Louis of Cambridge was christened at the Chapel Royal of the St. James Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced the names of the Godparents and christening details earlier in the day. The guest list involved Prince Charles of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, James Middleton, Pippa and James Matthews and Sussex couple.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh did not attend the ceremony after discussing it with William and Catherine. Buckingham Palace said the decision was taken “some time ago” and it is not due to health reasons. The royal reporter Richard Palmer tweeted, “I’ve spoken to a couple of sources and the explanation seems to be that it’s another busy week for the monarch at 92. She has the RAF centenary tomorrow, a meeting with President Trump on Friday and audiences in between. I understand that it was mutually agreed some time ago and the Cambridges are “relaxed” about it.”
William and Catherine arrived with grown-up Prince George and Princess Charlotte holding William’s hand while the 11 weeks old Prince Louis was sleeping peacefully in his mother’s arms.
Once again William and Catherine chose their friends and family members to be a part of their child’s life. The couple asked Mr Nicholas van Cutsem, Mr Guy Pelly, Mr Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, The Lady Laura Meade, Mrs Robert Carter, Miss Lucy Middleton to be the Godparents of Prince Louis.
A brief look at Prince Louis’ Godparents:
Mr Nicholas van Cutsem: Major Nicholas van Cutsem is one of the oldest friends Prince William. His family has a longstanding friendship with the royal family. We all remember his daughter Grace who stole the show at the 2011 Royal wedding when she covered her ears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Mr Guy Pelly: One of the closest friends of both Prince William and Prince Harry since their teenage Guy Pelly is known as the trouble maker of the group. The owner of the night club Tonteria was one of the bookies favourites for Prince George’s godfather’s list.
Mr Harry Aubrey-Fletcher: The third Godfather of Prince Louis is Harry Aubrey-Fletcher. Harry attended both Ludgrove prep school and Eton with Prince William. Catherine and William famously stepped out together to attend the wedding of Harry in 2011 after their engagement.
The Lady Laura Meade: Wife of William’s old Etonian friend James Meade who also made a speech at the royal wedding and Godfather of Princess Charlotte, Lady Laura Meade is in the royal circle for a long time and a very close friend to the couple.
Mrs Robert Carter: Hannah Carter wife of Robert Carter attended Marlborough College with Catherine. Her sister-in-law, Sophie Carter, is one of Charlotte’s godparents.
Miss Lucy Middleton: A solicitor in London, specialising in media litigation for Atkins Thomson, Lucy Middleton is Duchess’ cousin. She is said to be close to the Duchess as the pair spent their gap year together in Florence.
Kensington Palace announced the details of the christening just a few minutes before the ceremony.
Today, we saw the family of five together for the first time. Prince George and Princess Charlotte looked cute at the christening of their younger brother. William encouraged both George and Charlotte to shake hands with the Archbishop of Canterbury and when they did he said,” Well Done”.
As usual, the show was stolen by cute Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Both George and Charlotte were in blue outfits matching their father who was in a blue suit.
Louis wore the handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen. The original Honiton lace and satin robe that is now 172 years old, was last worn by Lady Louise Windsor in 2004. After years of wearing it had become too fragile to use, so in 2008 the Queen commissioned a replica. It features the same length skirt, elaborate collars and bow as its predecessor. The first baby to wear the replica robe was the son of Earl and Countess of Wessex James, Viscount Severn.
The Lily Font and water from the River Jordan were used during the baptism. The Lily Font – which is part of the Crown Jewels – was commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 after the birth of their first child, Victoria- Princess Royal and first used in 1841 and has been a feature of Royal Christenings ever since.
The ceremony lasted 40 minutes and was conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Ahead of the service he tweeted:
‘I’m delighted and privileged to be christening Prince Louis today – a precious child made in God’s image, just as we all are. Please join me in praying for him and his family on this special day. “You are my beloved” (Mark 1:11)’
Following the service, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave a private tea at Clarence House. Guests were served slices of christening cake, which is a tier taken from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cake. The couple’s 3 Feet high wedding cake was made by baker Fiona Cairns and consisted of 17 individual fruit cakes.
Portrait photographer Matt Holyoak was the official photographer at the christening of Prince Louis. The official photographs were taken at Clarence House following the service in The Chapel Royal, Kensington Palace announced. I believe the official pictures will be released in a day or 2.
Making the hat-trick, Duchess of Cambridge chose another Alexander McQueen outfit for the christening of Prince Louis. Alexander McQueen Cream Dress features a fit and flare silhouette with slightly puffed shoulders and vee-neckline.
There are not many pictures showing the dress but the elegant and feminine outfit was perfectly suitable for the occasion The Vogue described the outfit as,
“Middleton’s latest outfit was modern and elegant—perhaps her most directional McQueen moment yet. The dress featured a peaked demi-leg-o-mutton sleeve, a nod to Elizabethan tradition, and worked well with a plunging v-neckline.”
Instead of wearing a Fascinator, The Duchess paired the outfit with a Jane Taylor Floral Headband. The headband features an ivory straw accessorized with silk flowers, pearl beads and few different embellishments.
Catherine finished her look with a new pair of Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Studs. Inspired from cauliflower (cavolfiore), the studs containing seven pearls are set in 18ct yellow gold. Big thanks to the Samantha Salazar (@samsfashionfind) for the amazing find.
It seems Duchess was wearing Jimmy Choo Romy 100 Nude Patent Leather Pumps that she wore on Royal Wedding this year too.
A look back to Duchess’ iconic christening outfits.
Kate looks absolutely stunning.. that headpiece is really beautiful.. and charlotte has grown up .. beautiful family