LONDON (AA) - Prince George, the third one in line to the throne has been baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace in British capital London on Wednesday afternoon.
Even though the Prince's parents Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate wanted a private ceremony, Royal family fans, curious ones and tourists made up crowds, waiting around the entrances of the palace. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, 23-year-old Jess from the US said she was doing a gap year in Europe and added, "I am happy to be here at such a special day for the royals". Visiting London with her family from France, Chloe said that there was nothing planned to attend the crowd in front of the St. James's Palace and said, "however it was such cute coincidence to be here. It is a beautiful short break memory for the kids".
Royal members and the guests used two different entraces when they arrived. As the ceremony was held in private, media allowance was limited. It was informed that 22 guests attended the christening which included senior royals, four members of Kate's family, the seven godparents and their spouses.
Usually the christenings of the royals take place at the Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess have chosen to break with tradition, holding the baptism in the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace where William's mother Diana, Princess of Wales' coffin rested before her funeral back in 1997. The last well known royal baby baptised at the Chapel Royal was William's cousin Princess Beatrice in December 1988. The historic service took about 35 minutes.
- What did Prince George wear?
Prince George was baptised in a replica of the lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter back in 1841. The new gown was prepared by Queen's dresser Angela Kelly. Cream coloured gown had Honiton lace figures. Co-ordinating with her son, Duchess of Cambridge Kate wore a cream Alexander McQueen suit which had ruffled detailing.
- Who are the godparents?
Names of the Great-grandchild of the Queen, three months old Prince George's godparents have been announced earlier in the special day. The list with the names of godparents included; Prince William's cousin Zara Tindall, his childhood friend William van Cutsem, Kate's school friend interior designer Emilia Jardine-Paterson, university friend of the royal couple Oliver Baker, a close friend of William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, Julia Samuel, son of the Duke of Westminster Earl Grosvenor and former private secretary to the duke and duchess Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.
- Christening coins
The Royal Mint issued special and commemorative coins to mark the christening of Prince George. Range of different coins were produced in gold and silver priced at between £5 and £50,000. Previously, the The Royal Mint gave away 2,013 silver pennies to babies born on the same day as Prince George.
Following the historic ceremony, celebrity photographer Jason Bell was expected to take a photo of the Queen and Prince Charles, William and George all together.
Prince William and Duchess Kate's first baby, a future monarch, was born on July 22 at a London hospital and named "George Alexander Louis".
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