Prince George will wear a replica of a 172-year-old gown for his christening day on October 23.
For 167 years, Britain’s royal babies wore a one-of-a-kind, custom-made, hand-me down Christening gown.
Ever since Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, over 30 newborns including Prince William, Prince Charles and the Queen, have all worn the same Honiton lace and white satin gown to mark their entrance into the Church of England.
Prince George, however, will wear a new form of the family heirloom to celebrate this historic and religious rite of passage.
Following the baptism of Lady Louise Windsor in 2004, it was decided the ancient garment was too delicate to be used again. As a result, the Queen commissioned an exact replica of the 1841 christening gown to replace the original robe.
Prince George will wear a replica of a 172-year-old gown for his christening day on October 23
In keeping with tradition, Prince William and Kate Middleton are also expected to serve the first tier of the wedding cake at the ceremony for their son.
Usually just one official photo of the royal baby is released in keeping with the private nature of the royal christening. It is expected that a single photograph of George in his robe will be released after the event.
Designed by the Queen’s senior dresser Angela Kelly, and her creative team at Buckingham Palace, the replica retains the same features of the original, including the lengthy skirt and elaborate collar and bow.
Prince George will be christened on Wednesday, October 23, at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace – just over three months after his birth.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will perform the christening.
Prince George, who was born on July 22 at St Mary’s Hospital in London, is third in line to the throne.
Prince George’s christening will be marked with a set of commemorative coins, the Royal Mint said Saturday.
Prince William and Kate’s firstborn will be christened at the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace on October 23, just over three months after his birth, the Kensington Palace announced yesterday. The Chapel Royal is where the coffin of William’s late mother, Princess Diana, was laid before her funeral in 1997.
The commemorative coins, approved by Prince William, his wife Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth II, are produced for the first time to mark a royal christening in Britain.
The 5-pound coins will be made of solid gold, silver, and a more affordable option, and will sell for as much as thousands of pounds (dollars). The designs of the coins have not yet been revealed.
The first Royal Australian Mint coin dedicated to Prince George Alexander Louis
Buying the coins may be the only way the public can take part in celebrating Prince George’s christening, which will be a private event, attended only by close family. Official photographs will be released after the ceremony, Kensington Palace said.
The venue of the ceremony is a break from recent tradition: Prince William, his father Prince Charles and the Queen were all christened at Buckingham Palace, while Prince Harry was christened at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace is a lesser known and more intimate venue. Constructed by Henry VIII, it was decorated by Hans Holbein in honor of the king’s short-lived marriage to Anne of Cleves.
Prince George is the third in line to the throne, after Prince William and Prince Charles. His christening will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Prince George will wear a replica of a christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter in 1841.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced details of their son’s christening.
Prince George will be christened on Wednesday, October 23, at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace – just over three months after his birth.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will perform the christening.
Prince George, who was born on July 22 at St Mary’s Hospital in London, is third in line to the UK’s throne.
The Kensington Palace said in a statement: “Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce the christening of Prince George will take place on Wednesday, 23rd October at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace.
“Prince George will be christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.”
Prince George will be christened on Wednesday, October 23, at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace
As the Chapel Royal is small and would only accommodate close family and a few others.
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.
Princess Beatrice was the last royal baby to be christened in the Chapel Royal in December 1988.
Prince William was christened at Buckingham Palace in August 1982 by Dr. Robert Runcie, then the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The current Archbishop later spoke of his joy at being asked to conduct the christening.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby said: “I am delighted to be invited to conduct the baptism of His Royal Highness Prince George.
“It is a great privilege and honor and will without doubt be an occasion of immense joy and celebration.
“I am looking forward to welcoming him into the family of the church.”
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.
Earlier, Kensington Palace announced that a new coat of arms had been chosen to represent Prince William and Kate Middleton as a married couple.
[youtube k3XByBfWsps]
