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This article was first published 11 years ago

PHOTOS: Britain's baby Prince is welcomed into Christian faith

October 23, 2013 23:32 IST

Image: Britain's Prince William carries his son Prince George as they arrive for his son's christening at St James's Palace in London

A bonny and chubby Prince George, a future British monarch, was on Wednesday baptised into the Christian faith with holy water from the River Jordan, at a private ceremony in London.

The christening ceremony of the three-month-old prince, third-in-line to the throne, was only attended by senior royals apart from parents Prince William and his wife Kate, including Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip, while four members of the Middleton family, seven godparents and their spouses were among the 22 guests at the Chapel Royal at St James' Palace.

Before entering the chapel, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, told everyone, "He's all ready. So far so good."

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, carried her newly-christened son out of the chapel after the ceremony, and the guests then left for tea hosted by the baby prince's grandfather Prince Charles at Clarence House. 

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PHOTOS: Britain's baby Prince is welcomed into Christian faith

Image: Britain's Prince William carries his son Prince George, as he arrives with his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge for their son's christening at St James's Palace in London
Photographs: John Stillwell/Pool/Reuters

The historic 45-minute service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Reverend Justin Welby, saw four generations of British monarchs -- the Queen, her son Charles, grandson William and great-grandson George -- photographed by celebrity portrait photographer Jason Bell, together for the first time since 1899.

The Archbishop performed the baptism, which involves pouring holy water from the River Jordan on the baby's head as Christians believe Jesus Christ was baptised there.

Earlier, the names of the seven godparents of George, who was born on July 22, were officially announced by Kensington Palace.

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PHOTOS: Britain's baby Prince is welcomed into Christian faith

Image: Britain's Prince William carries his son Prince George as they arrive for his son's christening
Photographs: John Stillwell/Pool/Reuters

The godparents include friends and relatives of Prince William and Kate Middleton -- Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Earl Grosvenor, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, William van Cutsem and Zara Phillips.

Phillips, wife of former England rugby player Mike Tindall, is William's cousin and the only royal on the list.

Van Cutsem is his childhood friend, Jardine-Paterson attended Marlborough College with Kate, Baker went to St Andrews University with both parents, while Lowther-Pinkerton served as the couple's private secretary from 2005-2012 and is still a part-time principal private secretary and equerry.

Samuel was a close friend of William's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and Earl Grosvenor is the son of the Duke of Westminster.


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PHOTOS: Britain's baby Prince is welcomed into Christian faith


Photographs: John Stillwell/Pool/Reuters

When William was christened in 1982 he was dressed in the traditional lace and satin robe made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter.

The delicate outfit is no longer used so the infant prince was dressed in a Honiton lace christening gown, an exact replica of the one used by more than 60 members of the royal family since 1841.

The Lily font used for his baptism by the Archbishop was brought to the chapel from the Tower of London, where it is normally housed as part of the crown jewels that include the famous Kohinoor diamond from India. 


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