Kate Middleton and Price William with royal baby Prince George.
Credit: Getty Images
Prince George will be christened in the Chapel Royal, St.James’s Palace on Wednesday October 23rd at 3 p.m. in a private 45-minute ceremony, led by the Church of England’s Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, with only family in attendance.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s decision to have the ceremony at St. James’s Palace is an unsurprising break from protocol, with royal christenings traditionally staged at Buckingham Palace.
The Chapel Royal was last used in this capacity back in 1988 for the christening of Princess Beatrice. Indeed, the venue holds particular emotional significance for William and Harry who paid respect to their mother Princess Diana on her death in 1997.
Prince George, who will be christened in a replica of the 172-year-old gown made from Honiton point lace and Spitalfields silk satin first worn by Edward VII in 1841, will have six godparents.
In another break with tradition, the couple announced earlier in the month that they will be picking personal friends, rather than the expected appointment of fellow royals and dignitaries.
The honored friends include the Duke’s friends Fergus Boyd and Hugh van Cutsem –and the Duchess’ school friend Emilia d’Erlanger. It’s rumored that the last three places could go to the Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and his wife Mary; Peter Phillips (the Queen’s first grandchild); and Zara Phillips, who is also expecting a child, and her husband and former England rugby player Mike Tindall.
The ceremony’s exact details have remained as tightly guarded secrets to keep the historic occasion as low-key and private as possible. However, Hollywood photographer Jason Bell has been confirmed to take the official portraits.
