Prince George being christened in London

Prince George’s christening has started at the Chapel Royal in London.

Prince George, who is third in line to the British throne, is being baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The christening has been announced as a private event, with only senior royals, four members of the Middleton family, the seven godparents and their spouses invited.

Prince George, son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, was born in London on July 22nd.

The ceremony is expected to last about 45 minutes, after which Prince Charles will host a tea at Clarence House.

Prince George’s godparents, announced earlier, are Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Earl Grosvenor, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, William van Cutsem and Zara Tindall.

Zara Phillips, wife of former England rugby player Mike Tindall, is Prince William’s cousin, while the other six godparents are all friends of the royal couple.

Prince George is being baptized in a replica of the lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, the Princess Royal, in 1841.

Prince William and Kate Middleton chose two hymns, two lessons and two anthems for the christening.

The hymns are Breathe on Me, Breath of God and Be Thou My Vision.

Lessons from St Luke and St John will be read by Pippa Middleton and Prince Harry, and the anthems are Blessed Jesu! Here we Stand and the Lord Bless You and Keep You.

After the ceremony, celebrity photographer Jason Bell will take a picture of Queen Elizabeth and Princes Charles, William and George together.

The photo will echo a 1894 picture from the christening of the future Edward VIII, showing him with his father, grandfather and great-grandmother – George V, Edward VII and Queen Victoria.