Prince Louis' BIG DAY!
Kate K t can’t ’ t stop t smiling ili as she h celebrates her baby’s christening
Cradling her beautiful baby boy in her arms, the Duchess of Cambridge was glowing with happiness as she celebrated Prince Louis’ christening alongside her family in London last week.
While dad Prince William held hands with their older children – Prince George, who turns five this month, and Princess Charlotte, three – Kate gazed proudly at her 11-week-old son sleeping soundly in her arms.
INTIMATE GATHERING
The family of five were joined at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace – the same chapel Prince George was christened in – by an intimate group of 30 family members and friends, including Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Michael and Carole Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton-matthews.
Afterwards, the celebrations continued with an afternoon tea at Clarence House. And in line with George and Charlotte’s baptisms, guests were served slices from a preserved tier of Kate and William’s seven-yearold wedding cake.
Ahead of the christening, Kate was seen speaking to the Archbishop of Canterbur Canterbury, Justin Welby, who expressed his delight at conducting the service.
“I’m delighted and privileged to be christening Prince Louis today – a precious child made in God’s image, just as we all are,” he wrote on Twitter. “Please join me in praying for him and his family on this special day.”
Kate, 36, told him baby Louis, who was dressed in the same lace christening go gown n worn orn by b George and Charlotte – a replica of the gown worn by Queen Victoria’s daughter in 1841 – looked “very relaxed and peaceful”, adding, “I hope he stays like this.”
Sources reveal proud Kate “shed a few tears” during the sweet ceremony.
William, 36, encouraged his older children to
‘Charlotte and George kept asking all kinds of questions’
shake hands with Reverend Welby and little Charlotte, as confident as ever, obliged. Sources say both Charlotte and George “were quite intrigued – they kept asking all kinds of questions”.
Given the honour of being chosen as the six godparents were William and Harry’s good friend Guy Pelly, family friend Nicholas van Cutsem, William’s school friend Harry AubreyFletcher, Lady Laura Meade, who is married to William’s close Eton friend James Meade, Kate’s school friend Hannah Carter, and the duchess’ cousin, Lucy Middleton.
The only ones missing from the big day were Louis’ great-grandparents Queen Elizabeth, 92, and 97-year-old Prince Philip. It’s understood their absence was due to a conflict in schedules rather than any health issues.
MOMENTOUS DATE
That’s not to say Prince Louis’ great-grandparents were forgotten, with the day of the christening marking the anniversary of Elizabeth and Philip’s engagement in 1947, exactly 71 years earlier.
How time flies!