Right after Prince George made his first public appearance in the arms of his parents, after the official photos were released, what did we start talking about? The Christening. Today, along with family and friends, the Cambridges christened their first-born. Read on the find out more.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived with little George at 2.30 p.m. William sat in the front of a Jaguar XJ, whilst Kate sat in the back with George.
Today marked the very first time we've actually been able to see little Georges face. Of course, I understand that there were the Official photos, and the press obviously got plenty of photographs when the family left the hospital, but in all of those images George never really had his eyes open. Now that we got a clear view, I must say that he looks very much like his father, even though there is a good resemblance to Catherine in there as well.
Ahead of the Christening, Archbishop Justin Welby released a video message in the hopes that George's christening will encourage other couples to consider having their child baptised. He offered the Cambridges the following advice:
'My message to them, would be, what a treat, what an amazing gift, what wonderful times that you will have. There will be great times and tough times, there always are with children.'
The Archbishop baptised Prince George by splashing his head three times with water rather than by dipping his head into the font. The Lily Font and water from the River Jordan were used during the baptism.
Prince George wore a hand-made replica of the royal christening robe, made by Angela Kelly, dressmaker to The Queen. The original Honiton lace and satin robe, which is now 172 years old, was last used in 2004 with Lady Louise Windsor being the last royal baby to wear the piece. After years of wear it had become too fragile to use, so in 2008 The Queen commissioned a replica. It features the same length skirt, elaborate collars and bow as its predecessor. The first baby to wear it was was James, Viscount Severn, son of The Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Just twenty-two guests were invited to the christening including The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and Michael, Carole, Pippa and James Middleton. Other guests included Prince George's seven godparents and their spouses.Yes, William and Kate have selected seven people to be godparents to their first son.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton - Mr Lowther-Pinkerton severed as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry from 2005-2012 and continues to serve part-time as Principal Private Secretary and equerry. I had hoped he would be chosen, he has been one of the couple's most trusted advisers and his son William was a page boy at the royal wedding in 2011.
Zara Tindall (formerly Phillips) - Zara, who is pregnant with her own first child, is Prince William's first-cousin and the only member of the Royal family on the list. A down-to-earth event rider who won a team silver eventing medal at the London 2012 games, she will help bring a sense of normality into the future King's life. Kate and Zara appear to get along very well and are often photographed chatting at family events, no doubt their children will grow up together as William and Harry did with Zara and her brother Peter.
The Honourable Mrs Michael Samuel - Julia Samuel was a close friend of the late Princess of Wales who works as a psychotherapist and a counsellor at St Mary's in Paddington, where she helps families who have lost a child or baby. She helped launch Child Bereavement UK, a charity for families who have lost loved ones, of which Diana was patron. Prince William has continued his mother's work in his role as patron of the organisation. Her sister Sabrina is a former girlfriend of Prince Charles, and her son Benjamin, now 23, was one of Diana's godsons. I thought it a very nice touch to include one of Diana's closest friends.
Hugh Grosvenor - Earl Grosvenor is son and heir of The Duke of Westminster. Aged just 22, he will be Prince George's youngest godparent. His mother, the Duchess of Westminster, is Prince William's godmother and was the only godparent selected by Diana at the time.
Emilia Jardine Paterson (formerly d'Erlanger) - Emilia, whose name was mentioned in the press weeks ago, is a close friend of William and Kate's. She attended Marlborough College with the Duchess and accompanied her on holiday in 2007 during the couple's brief break up. She also joined Prince William on a Greek Island cruise in her late teens. The interior designer is said to have helped the couple renovate their apartment at Kensington Palace.
William van Cutsem - William is the only Catholic godparent and childhood friend of Prince William on the list. He comes from a large family of Norfolk landowners and William is the youngest of four sons. His father who passed away recently was a very close friend of Prince Charles. It was thought Hugh van Cutsem was the more likely choice as his daughter was a flower girl at the royal wedding.
Oliver Baker - A close friend of the couple's from St. Andrews University who shared Balgrove House with them during their final two years. Oliver and William are said to be incredibly close and he's been a very loyal friend to the Cambridges over the years.
There was much speculation surrounding the choice of godparents, and it had been thought William and Kate would break with tradition by choosing less than six. It is interesting to note they asked seven people. I quite like the mix, from close friends, to a trusted aide and of course including the late Diana by asking one of her dearest friends. What do you think of William and Kate's choices?
The forty-five minute service featured two lessons from St Luke and St John read by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton and the following hymns; Breathe on me, Breath of God and Be Thou My Vision. Two anthems, Blessed Jesu! Here We Stand (written for William's christening) and The Lord Bless You and Keep You were performed by The Choir of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal.
The Chapel Royal at St James's Palace was used for the lying in state of Diana Princess of Wales after her death in 1997. The chapel was also the venue for Kate's confirmation into the Church of England in 2011, in a private ceremony before the royal wedding. Built in 1531, the heart of Mary Tudor was laid beneath its chancel step in 1558. Princess Beatrice's christening took place there in 1988, William attended the service with his mother.
William and Kate selected The Chapel Royal because they felt it was the perfect choice for an intimate christening.
The Queen wore a brooch that was a gift from her parents to mark the birth of Prince Charles in 1948.
Today's outfit was one of my favorites thus far. Kate chose Alexander McQueen for this important event, and Vogue, as always, provided explicit information on this subject.
More from the Vogue article:
" The Duchess of Cambridge has clearly found her label for any major life event: Alexander McQueen. For the christening of her and the Duke of Cambridge’s three-month-old son, Prince George, today, the Duchess wore a cream look designed by McQueen’s Sarah Burton, with complementary fascinator by Jane Taylor. The third in line to the British throne was baptized in a replica of the Honiton lace gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, also named Victoria, in 1841. The replica for today’s baptism was made by the Queen's couturier Angela Kelly.
In keeping with their style of bucking tradition, the Duke and Duchess opted not to have the ceremony at Buckingham Palace (where royal christenings are typically held), choosing instead a location with significant sentimental value, the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace, where Prince William and Prince Harry paid respects to their mother, Princess Diana, before her funeral in 1997. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, performed the ceremony, which incorporated seven godparents. In addition to the court of godfathers and godmothers, Prince George was surrounded by his grandparents—Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Middletons—as well as the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Harry for the happy occasion. "
Kate wore the appropriately named Georgie Hat by Jane Taylor Millinery (with a special thank you to CP). The sophisticated sinamay beret with delicate silk/organza rose and classic veiling trim is available for £755.
Kate accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Citrine Drops and her Gucci watch.
Kate completed the look with her £165 Russell and Bromley Park Ave pumps.
No comments:
Post a Comment