The Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge have announced the timings of their son's christening on 23 October. The
baptism of Prince George will take place at 15:00 BST in the Chapel Royal at St
James's Palace and last about 45 minutes, Kensington Palace said. The Archbishop
of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will perform the christening at
the private service. The prince, who was born on 22 July at St Mary's Hospital
in London, is third in line to the throne. High-ranking royal babies including
the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Prince William have been christened at
Buckingham Palace in the recent past. Princess Beatrice was the last royal baby
to be christened at the Chapel Royal, in December 1988.
In 1997 the coffin of Prince William's mother Diana, Princess
of Wales, lay before the chapel's altar before her funeral in Westminster
Abbey. The Chapel Royal is also where Queen Victoria was married in 1840. The
chapel was originally constructed by Henry VIII when he built St James's
Palace. A number of alterations were carried out in 1836, with the current oak
panelling dating from this time. In 1876, replica pews were installed to
replace decayed Tudor ones. Prince George will be christened in a replica of
the intricate lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest
daughter, Victoria, the Princess Royal, in 1841. The Earl and Countess of
Wessex's son Viscount Severn became the first royal baby to wear the new robe
at his christening in 2008 The guest list for the christening has not been
released but Kensington Palace has said "close members of both
families" will attend.
The names of Prince George's godparents are also yet to be
announced .Following the christening, a picture will be released showing the
Queen with three future monarchs - Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince
George.The last time such a gathering of a monarch and her three heirs occurred
was in Queen Victoria's time.
That photograph, taken at the christening of the future
Edward VIII in July 1894 showed the royal baby with his father, later George V;
grandfather, the future Edward VII; and great grandmother, Queen Victoria. Meanwhile,
the Royal Mint is to create a set of commemorative coins to mark the
christening .
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