It’s hard to believe Prince Louis is now 11 weeks old!
Since his April 23rd arrival, the fifth in line to the British throne has been bonding with his family at their 1A Kensington Palace apartment.
While the newborn royal has been too young to attend recent events, including the Royal Wedding and the upcoming Trooping the Colour parade, he was spotted in May with his mum, Duchess Catherine, and big sister Charlotte enjoying a walk around Kensington Gardens in London in his pram.
With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day done and dusted, the next upcoming event on the royal calendar will be Prince Louis’ christening.
Kensington Palace have confirmed Prince Louis will be christened on Monday 9th July at The Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London, from 4pm.
For royal watchers wanting to stay up to date with Prince Louis’ christening, that means it will be kicking off at 1:00am on Tuesday, July 10th Australian Eastern Standard time.
In October 2013, Prince George’s baptism had just 22 guests and was held at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in London when he was three months old.
While Princess Charlotte’s had 21 official guests and was held in the more open setting of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandrignham, which allows well-wishers to camp on the footpath to get a glimpse of the royals.
The choice of the more private Chapel Royal means the ceremony will be just as intimate as previous occasions.
As we count down to Prince Louis’ appearance, here are all the royal christening traditions you can expect to see at his baptism!
1. The #blessed bowl
All royal babies are baptised by the sacred Lily Font bowl, which has been in the royal family and used in baptisms since 1841.
The stunning silver piece is part of the Crown Jewels and was used for both Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s christenings.
Obsessed with the royals? Like our Facebook page Now To Love Royals for the latest news on your favourite royal family members!
2. Even the water is given the royal treatment
In another poignant touch, all royal babies are christened with holy water from the River Jordan in the Middle East.
In 2015, the water was flown in especially for Princess Charlotte’s baptism but they might already have some on tap after Meghan Markle’s recent communion in March when was baptised into the Church of England at the Chapel Royal in London.
So, why do royals use such fancy water for their christenings?
It’s a nod to their religious beliefs as it’s how Jesus was baptised by John in the bible.
Only the most sacred water from the River Jordan is used on a royal baby’s foreheads.
3. The Royal Family christening gown
Prince Louis will wear the same cream gown his siblings donned for their christenings.
The new royal christening gown is a replica of the lace garment made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter Victoria in 1841, which was worn at royal christenings up until 2008 but was replaced with an exact match as it became too fragile to wear.
Keeping it in the family. (L-R) Princess Charlotte in the cream gown in 2015 and Prince George dons the same outfit in 2013.
4. The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is the royal’s go-to man for all things weddings, babies and baptisms and it will be no different for Prince Louis.
The religious service for Louis will be run by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the most senior-ranking bishop in the Church of England.
He’s their go-to guy and presided over Meghan and Harry’s wedding.
5. Nanny Maria Borrallo’s old school get-up
Nanny Maria Borrallo is a crucial part of the Cambridge family and is always on-hand to help out at big events, most recently looking after the mini-bridal party at the Royal Wedding.
And who could forget when the real-life Mary Poppins attended Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015, decked out in her Edwardian style of nanny uniform.
The eye-catching beige ensemble, complete with bowler hat, peter-pan collar, a conservative below-the-knee hemline and a pin-on watch, was created in 1892 and designed by the Norland College where Maria studied to be a super-nanny.
Norland is the most prestigious nanny college in the world and Maria Theresa Borrallo’s training included special Martial Arts self-defence and “skid pan” stunt driving training to get away from paparazzi at high speed.
You can expect Nanny Maria will be helping out in the background at Prince Louis’ christening and most likely in the same traditional attire.
She means business! Pictured here in her traditional nanny uniform at Princess Charlotte’s 2015 christening.
The “child whisperer” in action, soothing bridesmaid Zalie Warren at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
6. There’ll be a new family photo, too! And it will be the first time we see the full Cambridge clan as a fivesome
So far, we’ve only ever seen Prince Louis twice.
On his April 23rd arrival, his proud parents debuted their son on the steps of St Mary’s hospital.
And just a few weeks later in early May, they released a beautiful set of new photos featuring Prince Louis and his big sister to celebrate Princess Charlotte’s third birthday and to thank fans for their support following their son’s birth.
But we’re still yet to see all five members of the Cambridge clan pose for an official family photo – until now!
Royal christenings are the perfect excuse to rally the troops and get a new happy snap and we’re expecting there’ll be a flurry of new shots, including a big group photo with The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, and a fab five photo with Kate, William, George, Charlotte and Louis.
As for which photographer will take it remains to be seen, but it definitely won’t be disgraced fashion photographer Mario Testino, who captured the official photos at Princess Charlotte’s christening.
For their Christmas card, Chris Jackson was the man behind the lense so maybe they’ll turn to their trusted royal photographer yet again.
Insert Prince Louis here.
The last time we were given a glimpse of the little prince was in May when Kate captured this sweet brother-sister bonding moment.
7. There’ll be A LOT of godparents
The royals just love a long list of godparents and traditionally they stick to good friends over dignitaries or close relatives who are already aunts and uncles through blood.
Princess Charlotte has five godparents with Sophie Carter, James Meade, Adam Middleton, Laura Fellowes and Thomas van Straubenzee her official custodians.
Similarly, in 2013 William and Catherine selected seven people to take on the role as godparents for their first-born son.
Among them were friends of the couple Oliver Baker and Emilia Jardine-Paterson as well as Earl Grosvenor, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel and William van Cutsem.
Zara Phillips, Prince William’s cousin, was the only member of the Royal family to be selected as one of George’s godparents.
Kate reportedly wants to ask Meghan Markle
One royal expert is predicting William’s cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie might get the call up.
“It is possible Beatrice or Eugenie might be a godparent to the new baby,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told The Express.
While others think the firm’s newest member Meghan Markle will be asked.
According to Woman”s Day‘s palace source Kate, 36, was adamant she wants her future sister-in-law to play the important role of godmother.
“They’ve already formed a strong sisterly bond, and it’s Kate’s way of showing how close they’ve become,” the insider told the publication.
Beatrice and Eugenie might get the call up.
