Sleeping cutie
Kate’s tears for little Louis
It was the first time Prince Louis had been seen in public since his royal debut on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London.
But as he arrived for his christening in the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace, the blue-blooded bundle of joy seemed completely immune to the enormity of the event, slumbering peacefully in the arms of his mum.
In a stunning Alexander McQueen dress, the Duchess of Cambridge beamed with pride at her cherubic newborn, describing him as “relaxed and peaceful” to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who was performing the baptism, adding, “Let’s hope he stays that way.”
And indeed, Louis was out of it for the entire 40 minutes. “He slept through the entire ceremony, only whimpering slightly when the water was sprinkled over his head,” a palace insider tells Woman’s
Day. “It was a very sweet and touching moment.
“Kate was surprisingly emotional throughout the ceremony and even William shed a tear, which his brother enjoyed teasing him about.”
The royals stepped out as a family of five for the first time at last week’s church service, with Prince William firmly holding Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s hands, while Kate clasped little Louis, wearing the christening robe previously worn by his siblings.
With the 11-week-old out for the count, it was left to his older siblings to step into the spotlight, with sassy Charlotte, three, cheekily telling waiting photographers, “You’re not coming,” as she entered.
Our insider adds, “The kids were incredibly protective of their brother. Charlotte kept kissing his forehead, while George warned family and friends not to wake the baby in a really bossy manner that had everyone in hysterics.”
The service was a truly intimate affair, with only those nearest to the couple invited, including Prince Charles, 69, the Duchess of Cornwall, 70, and Kate’s parents, Michael, 69, and Carole Middleton, 63.
Also there were Prince Harry, 33, and the Duchess of Sussex, 36, who gifted the baby a $16,000 first-edition print of the children’s classic
Winnie-the-Pooh, a book the late Princess Diana used to read her boys.
And then there was Kate’s sister Pippa Matthews, 34, who attended with her husband James, 42, showing hardly a hint of a baby bump in her Alessandra Rich frock after finally confirming her pregnancy the day before.
There were two big names who were noticeably absent from the ceremony, with the Queen unable to attend due to a packed schedule and Prince Philip now rarely seen in public since retiring from royal duties.
However, William and Kate didn’t let the no-show dampen their spirits at the Chapel Royal, which was chosen as a venue as it was where Louis’ grandmother Diana was christened in 1961 and where his brother George was baptised in 2013.
The couple also paid tribute to Diana by playing the song “Prelude on Rhosymedre”, by Vaughan Williams, which was performed at Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981.
After the christening, Louis woke just in time for a tea party held in his honour, which saw 40 guests pack into St James’s Palace for a spread of all the family’s favourite treats, including chocolate fudge cake, mini banana flans and sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream.
“The children kept everyone entertained with their humorous antics,” reports our insider. “George proudly showed off his train set and recited a list of toys he wanted for his birthday, which led to a good-humoured telling-off from William, who told him not to be too greedy.
“Kate even made an impromptu speech at the reception, where she thanked everyone for coming and extended a special thanks to the godparents, who’d all gone out of their way for Louis since he was born and had a hand in planning the christening itself.”
Asked if they were thinking of having any more children, William indicated
that they had their
hands full and that it was his brother’s turn to start making babies with his new bride, who looked understated in an olive Ralph Lauren dress.
Our insider reveals, “William joked that he and Kate were handing over the baton to Harry and Meghan, causing everyone to cheer, which prompted blushing and giggles from the newlyweds.”