Christening Of Prince George

Wednesday 23rd October, 2013

Prince George Alexander Louis, the first born child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was today christened at the Chapel Royal, St James' Palace London.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby conducted the service which used the Lily Font and water from the River Jordan. Prince William was also christened using the Lily Font but his service was conducted in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace.

Only close family, friends and godparents were invited to the Chapel Royal as William and Catherine wanted an intimate service. Those in attendance included The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, Catherine's parents Carole and Michael and her siblings Pippa and James.

Prince George’s godparents were announced by Clarence House:

• Mr Oliver Baker. Oliver attended the University of St Andrews with The Duke and Duchess, as did his wife Mel. Oliver shared a house with William and Catherine during their time at university.
• Mrs Emilia Jardine-Paterson. Emilia attended Marlborough College with The Duchess whilst her husband David went to Eton at the same time as William.
• Earl Grosvenor (Hugh). Hugh, 22, is the son and heir of The Duke of Westminster. Hugh's mother, the Duchess of Westminster is a godparent to Prince William and Prince Charles is Hugh's godparent.
• Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton. Jamie served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry from 2005-2012 and continues to serve part-time as Principal Private Secretary and Equerry. Jamie was also an equerry to the late Queen Mother. His son Billy was a page at William and Catherine's wedding.
• The Hon Mrs Julia Samuel. Julia was a close friend of William's mother The Princess of Wales. She is a bereavement counsellor in the NHS paediatrics department of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington where Princes William and George were born. She has a private practice and is founder of the charity Child Bereavement UK, of which William is patron.
• William's cousin Zara Tindall. William and Zara have always been close and she is expecting her and husband Mike' first child in January.
• William van Cutsem .The van Cutsem family are old family friends of Charles and his sons. William van Cutsem's older brother Hugh's daughter Grace was a bridesmaid at the Cambridges' wedding.

Prince George wore the hand made replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen. The 172 year old original robe which royal babies have traditionally worn had become fragile. The last baby to be christened in the original robe was Prince Edward's daughter Lady Louise Windsor in 2004. The new gown has only been used by three babies before George- Lady Louise's brother James, Viscount Severn and Peter Phillips daughters Isla and Savannah.
Also in attendance today was Jessie Webb who has been helping Catherine and William as a nanny for George on a short term basis. Jessie was a nanny to William and Harry and agreed to come out of retirement to help William with his first born.
Afternoon tea was held at Clarence House for the guests and they were served cake that had been a layer of William and Catherine's wedding cake.

Official photos were taken by Jason Bell and included an historic shot of four generations of the monarch and her three heirs- The Queen, Prince of Wales, Prince William and Prince George.