Prince George will be christened at 3pm next Wednesday, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The 45-minute ceremony will be held in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace and will be conducted by The Archbishop of Canterbury.
In breaking with royal tradition, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge decided on an intimate ceremony at the Chapel, rather than the Music Room at Buckingham Palace, where Prince William was christened, saying it was a “very personal” decision.
The service will take place later in the day because the Queen has a prior engagement. Earlier on, she is hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace for The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.
At this stage, there are no further details about Prince George’s six godparents, guests or the order of service. These details will be withheld until the day of the event.
William and Kate’s decision to hold the event in the historic chapel is yet another indication that they’re going to raise their son in their own way.
Earlier this week, sources close to the pair said they had chosen close friends to be godparents to their first-born child, rather than royals.
Their decision was based on them wanting “stability and normality” for Prince George.
They have even shunned some senior royals in order to make the event an “’intimate, family affair”.
Prince William’s aunts, Princess Anne and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, are believed to be among those left off the guest list, and it is unlikely his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will attend.
While they seem to be breaking most royal traditions, the pair is said to be continuing with one – George’s christening gown.
It is believed the three-month-old will be christened in a replica Honiton lace gown, which was first created for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter in 1841.
The gown was worn by royals for generations until the Queen commissioned an identical handmade copy so the 172-year historic outfit could be carefully preserved.
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