PRINCE LOUIS’ ROYAL CHRISTENING
THE FAMILY GATHER TO CELEBRATE THE BAPTISM OF PRINCE LOUIS – WITHOUT THE QUEEN
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked proud and delighted as they celebrated their 11-week-old son Prince Louis’ christening alongside their older children, George and Charlotte.
The Cambridges were all smiles during their first public appearance as a family of five, despite the surprise absence of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who were unable to attend.
But as planned, William and Kate ensured it was an intimate occasion, held at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, with just 30 guests. Included in the party were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton and her siblings, James and Pippa, among others.
Conducting the service was the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who greeted the royal family and friends as they arrived on a sunny London afternoon.
Prince Louis – dressed traditionally in the elaborate frilly gown also worn by his siblings for their christenings – appeared fast asleep in his mother’s arms. When the Archbishop commented on this, a beaming Kate was heard replying that her son looked ‘very relaxed and peaceful’ adding: ‘I hope he stays like this.’
In fact, the royal mum – looking stunning and slim in an Alexander Mcqueen ivory mid-length dress and a hat designed by Jane Taylor – couldn’t stop smiling as she proudly held her infant son.
Meanwhile, a suited Prince William arrived holding hands with Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, three, who were dressed in smart summery outfits for the occasion. William encouraged his children to greet the Archbishop formally, watching fondly as they shook hands, then praising them with a pleased, ‘Well done’.
Leading the way into the chapel before the family of five, were grandparents, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, with Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan following behind the Cambridge family.
Pippa, looking stylish in a powder blue dress, displayed a tiny baby bump, as she arrived alongside Kate’s cousin on her father’s side, Lucy Middleton, the only family member chosen as one of Louis’ six godparents.
Duchess Meghan looked every inch the proud aunt in an elegant olive green Ralph Lauren shift dress, matching Stephen Jones hat, gloves and clutch bag. With husband Prince Harry by her side – sporting a blue suit and sky blue tie – she shared a friendly laugh with the Archbishop who she had last seen at her recent wedding.
The 40 minute service, which began at 4pm, included two hymns, O Jesus, I Have Promised and Lord Of All Hopefulness and two anthems, This Is The Day Which The Lord Hath Made by John Rutter and Suo Gan, a traditional Welsh lullaby by Gareth Wilson. Godparents Lucy and Guy Pelly read lessons from St Mark and Ephesians.
The Archbishop expressed his joy at conducting the christening, tweeting earlier: ‘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.’
It’s been speculated that holy water from the River Jordan – where Prince William recently visited – was used in the act of baptising baby Louis. And in keeping with tradition, the elaborate and precious Lily Font was used, a large silver-gilt font, which has been used in royal ceremonies for 140 years and is usually kept under lock and key in the Tower of London.
After the ceremony, the happy family and guests emerged, with Duchess Camilla fanning herself and commenting to Meghan about the ‘unusual’ hot weather.
Soon after, Kate – still holding baby Louis who appeared to only just be waking from his nap – and William, holding their older children’s hands, emerged and walked slowly from the chapel.
As is becoming royal custom, Princess Charlotte stole the show as she eyed the watching media suspiciously, saying: ‘You’re not coming,’ in case any of them had ideas about joining the family after-gathering.
They all headed to Prince Charles’ home in Clarence House where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted a private afternoon tea. Official pictures of the day were taken by Matt Holyoak – who photographed the Queen and Prince Philip for their 70th wedding anniversary last year – and will be released later in the week.
While some royal watchers expressed surprise that Harry, and Meghan, were overlooked as godparents, Louis’ uncle nonetheless gifted his nephew a rare, first edition copy of A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-pooh worth $14,000, with a source telling The Sun Harry was keen to build a library of classic books for his niece and nephews in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana.
‘One of Harry’s happiest childhood memories was being read a bedtime story by his mother,’ said the insider. ‘She loved all the classics and Harry had the brilliant idea of starting a little library of first editions.’
Royal watcher Phil Dampier explained that while the Queen would have been upset to miss the christening, the decision to stay away was a wise one. ‘Reality is catching up with the Queen. The Duke is 97 and retired last year. The Queen is 92 and can’t do everything. The UK is in the middle of a heatwave and she has possibly been overdoing it recently.
‘She is devoted to her children, grandkids and seven great-grandchildren.’
PRINCE GEORGE IN TRAINING – A KING IN THE MAKING
We’ve seen Prince George, who turns five this week, seem wiser than his age on many occasions and sources reveal to New Idea that the tiny royal is already receiving ‘king classes’.
According to palace insiders, there are great expectations the tot will make a great monarch one day. Her Majesty believes George is mature for his years and has really high hopes for him. She is certain he will make a wonderful king one day.
‘She’s asked William and Catherine to start training him for his future role as king. After his fifth birthday, he will start sitting with The Queen for two hours a week to go through what’s expected of him as heir to the throne and future king. While she’s alive, she wants to pass on as much wisdom to George as possible – and also get in a little bonding time!’ spills the source.
The source also claims George will undergo lessons with the Queen’s advisors on the history of the monarch, etiquette, protocol and what a life of duty looks like. ‘The Queen hopes that through this training, he’ll be more than ready to become the king when the time is ready.’