The arrival of Baby Cambridge, now officially named Prince George Alexander Louis, on July 22, has been met with worldwide awe and celebration, and soon a christening is in store for the new prince. Queen Elizabeth II waited one month after the birth of Prince Charles to christen him, but how will Kate Middleton and Prince William baptize Prince George?
US Weekly reports that the new parents will follow royal tradition with a christening gown for their son and a special reception following the ceremony. Royal baptisms are not state affairs, instead reserved for about 60 guests including friends and relatives of the baby. A half-hour liturgy will take place around the 172-year-old baptismal Lily Font, near which the Archbishop of Canterbury will ask the Duke, Duchess and the godparents of Prince George (as yet unknown!) to gather and witness the christening.
The Lily Font will be filled with holy water from the River Jordan. The Queen and other relatives and friends will look on as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge confirm that they will raise their baby to follow Christ.
After Prince George is anointed, he will be serenaded with holy hymns by sixteen choristers from the Chapel Royal in London who will be present for the service.
Nearly every royal baby born since 1841 has worn the same lace-and-silk robe for the christening, originally designed for Queen Victoria's son, the future King Edward VII. After six generations of wear and tear, Queen Elizabeth II commissioned a replica in 2008, which was first used that year during the christening of her grandson James, the Viscount Severn.
However, since Prince George is third in line to the throne, he will don the original robe, though he'll be wearing new shoes, as per tradition.
During the reception, the Duke and Duchess will serve guests the top tier of their wedding cake which was frozen in April 2011 after they were married.
Click here to see a photo of Prince Charles with Princess Diana, holding Prince William at his christening in 1982.
