MEET PRINCE GEORGE YOUR FUTURE KING
Aged 3 months, born July 22nd 2013
PRINCE George was on his best behaviour and gurgled for relatives as the Royal Family celebrated his christening yesterday.
The three- month- old future king, whose wailing kept his parents up at night in his fi rst few weeks, was the star of the show on a landmark day for the British monarchy.
Prince William joked as his son managed a little wave for the Queen: “It’s the fi rst time he’s been quiet all day.”
“It has been a tremendously joyful occasion for everyone involved,” said a Kensington Palace spokesman.
George, new third in line to the throne, arrived in the arms of his father, the Duke of Cambridge, for the small, private ceremony in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace. He left cradled by his beaming mother, the Duchess.
In the three months since his birth, George has changed dramatically and looks increasingly like his father did as an infant. On a red- letter day for the royals, he was pink- cheeked, chubby and peaceful.
He was baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, in front of 22 close family and friends in the historic 16th century chapel during a 35- minute service.
The royal baby emerged playing with his fi ngers in his mother’s arms. The Duchess of Cambridge, wearing a cream Alexander McQueen outfi t, Jane Taylor hat and £ 495 pear drop earrings by London jeweller Kiki McDonough , smiled lovingly at him as they left the chapel.
It was George’s second appearance in public. His only previous public outing was when William and Kate left St Mary’s Hospital in central London with him the day after he was born on July 22.
Sources said the christening was a relaxed affair. William and Kate had stipulated that they wanted a small, private service with only close family and friends present.
George was given seven godparents, including his father’s closest royal cousin, Zara Phillips; William and Kate’s principal private secretary Jamie Lowther- Pinkerton; and William van Cutsem, an old friend of the Duke’s and the only Catholic among the godparents.
The remaining four are Oliver Baker, a friend of the Duke and Duchess from university; Emilia Jardine- Paterson, at Marlborough College with Kate; Earl Grosvenor, 22- year- old son and heir of the Duke of Westminster; and Julia Samuel, a close friend of Princess Diana and founder of Child Bereavement UK, of which William is patron.
A royal source said: “There is a member of the Royal Family among the godparents and there are their friends. Jamie is older but is close to them and there is someone who was a very good friend of the Princess of Wales.
“These are exactly the sort of people you’d expect to see as godparents at a royal christening.”
The Queen wore a sky- blue cashmere Stewart Parvin coat and matching hat by Angela Kelly. When her car arrived, nearby doors in the palace opened and young George could be heard gurgling.
William emerged holding his son in front of him and jiggling him up and down as he walked. He was joined by his
Prince Charles was a month old when he was christened and the Queen 38 days old The Royal Mint has issued a £ 50,000 coin to in fine gold celebrate the christening
brother Harry, who greeted his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh as William told everyone: “He’s all ready,” adding: “So far so good.”
George, with rosy cheeks and darkish hair, stared curiously at his relatives as they chatted and was on his best behaviour.
During the service Prince Harry, the couple’s best man, and Kate’s sister Pippa, maid of honour at their wedding, both gave readings.
The intimate gathering included Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, Pippa and brother James. The seven godparents arrived together.
After the christening, Prince Philip and the Queen were the fi rst to leave, with the monarch clutching a copy of the order of service. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London were waiting on the steps and were thanked by the family and friends of the royal couple. Charles and Camilla hosted a private tea at neighbouring Clarence House where guests were served a tier of William and Kate’s wedding cake.
Ardent royal fans were determined not to miss out on the historic event. Despite torrential overnight downpours, hundreds secured prime vantage points outside St James’s Palace. Many were decked out in Union fl ag clothes and waved banners to congratulate the future king.
Kensington Palace did not give details of christening gifts but Downing Street announced that Prime Minister David Cameron and his Cabinet colleagues had clubbed together to buy a handmade pine toy box. Ministers are also donating to the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.