New Portrait Of George

To celebrate Prince George of Cambridge's 5th birthday, a new portrait has been released. The photograph taken by Matt Porteous shows a very happy little boy in the grounds of Clarence House after Prince Louis' christening on July 9th. 

It is believed that George, parents and siblings are holidaying on the island of Mystique with Catherine's parents Carole and Michael Middleton.  

Happy Birthday Prince George

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge was born on July 22nd, 2013 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington. George is the first child and eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and upon his birth became third in line to the British throne after grandfather Prince Charles and dad Prince William.

George was several days overdue prompting media and well-wishers to dub the lead up as the "Great Kate Wait". On the hottest day of the summer, George arrived and he left hospital the following day with his dad William and mum Catherine. 

George's early weeks were spent at Catherine's parents' home Bucklebury Manor in Berkshire. Grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton offered their daughter seclusion and much needed hands on support. The Cambridge home at this time was Nottingham Cottage (now home to Prince Harry), Kensington Palace. It is quite small and the family's new home,  Apartment 1A was still being renovated.

The couple was determined to eschew a nanny and intent on being hands on parents. After a few months it became clear that help would be needed if the Duke and Duchess were to undertake their royal duties and also William's role as RAF Search and Rescue pilot in Wales. William and Harry's childhood nanny Jessie Webb was enlisted to help the couple on a part time basis. 

By February the following year, a full-time nanny Maria-Teresa Turrion Borrallo was hired and has been with the family ever since. Maria has been a huge support as the family has grown and the Cambridge's royal roles have evolved

At the age of 2 1/2 George commenced nursery school in Norfolk, near the family home Anmer Hall. Anmer became their main base from the time Charlotte was born until last July when the family returned to London.

George started formal school at Thomas's Battersea in September and has now completed his reception year. The prince has loved all forms of transport since he was little and in particular helicopters which he sees quite often coming and going from royal homes. 

George has joined his parents on royal tours to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Poland and Germany.

 Happy Birthday Prince George! 

 

Royal Mint Celebrates George's Birthday

The Royal Mint has released coins to commemorate Prince George's 5th birthday. The series titled "The Progress of a Prince", consists of various price offerings for the GBP 5- coin struck in George's honour.

https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/prince-george-fifth-birthday/

While we are on the topic of souvenir items, don't forget the Prince Louis of Cambridge stamp issue from Australia Post. These were released earlier in the month and are beautiful items. I really love the postcard.



https://shop.auspost.com.au/stamp-and-coin-collectables/stamp-issues/the-birth-of-hrh-prince-louis-of-cambridge

Adorable Louis In Latest Photo

Beautiful Louis stars in an additional photo released by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The shot of Catherine and Louis after his christening on the 9th of July captures the lovely nature of the sweet prince. It is easy to understand why the Duchess continues her maternity leave to spend as much time as possible with her third child. 

Prince Louis Portraits

Christening portraits of gorgeous Prince Louis of Cambridge have been released by Kensington Palace. 

Matt Holyoak was given the honour of photographing the event and the family's joy was captured beautifully. 

RAF Centenary Flypast

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a church service Westminster Abbey on Tuesday. This was to mark the centenary of the R.A.F.

The Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family were out in force to mark the occasion. Following the service, Her Majesty gave a speech in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

100 aircraft flew over Buckingham Palace, watched by the Royal Family from the balcony. Helicopter-lover Prince George and sister Princess Charlotte watched from behind windows of the Palace.Excitedly they waved to crowds and at one point Charlotte poked her tongue out to those below.

 

What a spectacular display! ✈️@RoyalAirForce #raf100 pic.twitter.com/B9pPlyOqFk

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 10, 2018

Godparents

Prince Louis was baptised on Monday and the following friends and family were chosen as his godparents:


-    Mr. Nicholas van Cutsem, van Cutsem family are long time friends of the Wales family whose connections include wedding attendants, godparents and Amner Hall.
-    Mr. Guy Pelly, friend of both Princes William and Harry whose mother Lady Carolyn Herbert was a friend of Diana, Princess of Wales.
-    Mr. Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, friend of the Duke.
-    The Lady Laura Meade, wife of the Duke's Eton friend James Meade who is goldfather to Princess Charlotte. 
 -    Mrs. Robert Carter, maiden name was Hannah Gillingham and attended Marlborough College with the Duchess. Another Norfolk connection.
-    Miss Lucy Middleton, cousin of the Duchess and works as a lawyer

Lady Laura Meade & James Middleton

Guy & Lizzy Pelly

Lucy Middleton, Mr & Mrs Carter & Harry Aubrey-Fletcher

Louis' Big Day In Photos

Here are a selection of photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and baby Prince Louis on his christening day. The little prince was baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace in front of his grandparents, aunt and uncles and godparents. 

Members of the Royal Family arrive at St James's Palace for the christening of Prince Louis. pic.twitter.com/3pDk4D898C

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 9, 2018

Prince Louis Christening Countdown

Prince Louis will be christened on Monday and royal watchers are keen to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their three youngsters for the first time.

Louis has not been publicly seen since he was born at St Mary's Hospital's Lindo Wing on April 23rd. Prince George who is almost 5 and Princess Charlotte, 3 have finished school and preschool for the summer holidays and will join their little brother for his big day.

The baptism will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, London at 4pm.  Prince Charles and the Middleton family are due to attend along with the godparents who have yet to be named. 

Prince Harry missed the christening of Charlotte but will attend with new wife the Duchess of Sussex. 

Having visited the Chapel exterior myself last July, I can share photos of the large window that fronts the street and the narrow passage where the family will walk from St James's Palace itself to the Chapel. 

The Lily Font will be brought from the Tower of London and water from the River Jordan are traditionally used. Prince Louis will wear a replica of the Honiton lace gown. The original was first used by Queen Victoria's daughter and then worn by royal babies since, including Prince William himself. Prince Edward's son James, Viscount Severn was the first royal baby to use the replica gown. 

Prince George 2013

Princess Charlotte 2015

Exterior of Chapel Royal, St James's Palace

Covered Walkway To The Chapel

Chapel Royal St James's Palace

Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge will be Christened in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace on Monday- 9th July. 

Louis is the third child and second son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and was born at St Mary's Hospital on the  23rd April this year. 

The Chapel Royal was also the venue for Louis' brother Prince George's christening in 2013 and the Duchess was confirmed there before her marriage to Prince William. The body of William's mother Diana, Princess of Wales rested there in the days leading up to her funeral in September, 1997. 

From https://www.royal.uk/chapelroyal 

Royal events at the chapel

Many Royal weddings have taken place in the Chapel, including that of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg on 10 February 1840. Their eldest daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal, was also married there in 1858 to Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, later the German Emperor Friedrich III. In 1893 the Duke of York and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (later King George V and Queen Mary) were married in the Chapel.

Most recently, Prince George was baptised at the Chapel Royal on 23 October 2013 in a ceremony attended by four generations of the Royal Family, including The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Cambridge. 

Photos below taken by blog author in July, 2017.