Accessibility links

Breaking News

Britain's Future Monarch Christened in Low-Key London Ceremony


Britain's three-month-old future monarch has been christened at a small ceremony in a central London chapel, where he made his first public appearance since his birth in July.

Prince George was seen in the arms of his father, Prince William, as the elder prince and his wife Kate arrived at the Chapel Royal in St. James's Palace for Wednesday's traditional Anglican Christian ceremony.

The infant was wearing a white satin gown, a replica of one made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1841. In a private ceremony inside the chapel, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby baptized the prince with water from the Jordan River, where Christians believe Jesus also was baptized.

In several breaks with tradition, Prince William and Kate kept the guest list for the event small, to about 30 close family and friends, and named only one member of the royal family as a godparent to George - William's cousin Zara Philips. The other six godparents are friends of the royal couple.



All seven godparents were among the attendees of the christening, along with Prince William's father Prince Charles and step-mother Camilla, and his grandparents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

The low-key nature of the ceremony appeared to reflect a desire by Prince William and Kate to protect the privacy of their son, while the naming of friends as his godparents showed their willingness to update royal customs.

After the christening, Prince Charles was due to host the royal party at his Clarence House residence for a private tea.

Celebrity photographer Jason Bell was hired to record the event. He is expected to produce a historic multi-generational portrait showing 87-year-old Queen Elizabeth with her three future heirs - her son Charles, grandson William and great-grandson George.
XS
SM
MD
LG