Prince George was christened at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace a few months after his birth, and he took part in many of the usual Royal Family traditions
Prince George of Cambridge, the firstborn of Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, was welcomed into the world on July 22, 2013.
A few months later, he was christened at the historic Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace; a venue steeped in Royal history, including the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840. The young prince’s christening followed many time-honoured royal traditions.
He was baptised using the Lily Font, a piece commissioned by Victoria and Albert for the christening of their first child, Princess Victoria. Since then, the Lily Font has been a staple at every Royal christening.
In keeping with tradition, water from the River Jordan was used during Prince George’s baptism, reports the Express. Following the ceremony, a unique Royal custom involving Kate and William’s wedding cake was observed at Clarence House.
Buckingham Palace released a statement at the time saying: “Following the service, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will give a private tea in Clarence House. Guests will be served slices of christening cake, which is a tier taken from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cake.”
However, one tradition that Prince William experienced at his own christening, but his son did not, was the wearing of the Royal christening gown. The Royal christening robe, crafted for Princess Victoria in 1841, has been used at hundreds of subsequent Royal christenings.
The christening gown has been worn by a line of royals including King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III. However, after the baptism of Lady Louise Windsor, the Queen’s granddaughter, in 2004, it was deemed too fragile due to its delicate Honiton lace.
The Queen’s late dressmaker, Angela Kelly, created a replica for the christening of her eighth grandchild, James, Viscount Severn, in 2007. This same gown was used for the baptisms of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Most recently, it was likely used for the christening of Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, the Queen’s great-grandchild. Among those present at Prince George’s christening were the late Queen and Prince Philip, then Prince Charles, the former Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.
Kate’s family members, including her parents Michael and Carole Middleton and siblings Pippa and James Middleton, also attended. As is customary for royals, George had several godparents, fitting for a future King.
These included Prince William’s cousin Zara Tindall and other close friends and relatives such as Mr Oliver Baker, Mrs David Jardine-Paterson and Earl Grosvenor (now the Duke of Westminster). Mr Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, William and Harry’s private secretary, The Hon Mrs Michael Samuel, a friend of the late Princess Diana, and Mr William van Cutsem, William’s childhood friend, were also bestowed with the honour.
George’s siblings arrived in 2015 and 2018 respectively. While Prince Louis was christened at St James’s Palace, Princess Charlotte received her christening at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, Norfolk.
