If there is any strong indicator that the succession to the British Crown for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island, and the British Commonwealth of Nations, is very much secure, look no further than the family of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Duchess Catherine. William is heir to his father Charles, Prince of Wales, as he is to Queen Elizabeth II. William in turn has three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, born just this April 23. Nearly three months on, the fifth in line and youngest successor to the throne was christened Monday.
USA Today writes that the royal christening of Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge was held on the morning of July 9, local time in London, at the Chapel Royal of the St. James Palace in Westminster. Present for the occasion of course were the baby Prince’s adoring family: parents Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, and older siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte. They were joined by members of the Royal House of Windsor and Middleton family and relatives, while the public got its first good look at Prince Louis, rarely seen since his presentation following his birth.
The date of July 9 for the royal christening is deemed to be auspicious, as it was in the same day back in 1947 that the royal engagement of Prince Louis’ great-grandparents, then-Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip Mountbatten, was announced. Surprisingly however, said Royal great-grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, would not attend. Nor were their names included from the Royal guest list, with Prince Charles as the most senior figure standing in their stead, accompanied by Duchess Camilla. Contrary to common perception, the reason for their absence was not health reasons but a scheduling conflict.
On the first week of July prior to the christening ceremony, HRM the Queen was staying at her royal estates at Scotland and then Norfolk, only returning to London at the start of the week. As Elizabeth is to head the 100th Anniversary commemoration of the Royal Air Force in Tuesday, July 10, she needed time to rest from her travels for the massive occasion. In addition, the Queen is to meet with US President Donald Trump on his state visit by Friday, July 13, to be held at Windsor Castle. Prince Philip meanwhile is officially retired from public appearances.
Also present for the happy day were Prince Louis’ uncle Prince Harry and his bride Duchess Meghan of Sussex. Six godparents were indicated on the guest list, all but one, old school friends of the Prince and Duchess, and a cousin from the Middleton side.
Image courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar
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