Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband will miss the private ceremony during which their great-grandson, Prince Louis, will be christened in here today.
With the Queen hosting US President Donald Trump later this week, the decision to miss the christening has been linked with her busy week ahead.
Prince Louis, the third child of Prince William and Kate Middleton and fifth-in-line to the British throne, was born on April 23 this year. The christening, or baptism, is a traditional Church of England ceremony of thanksgiving to God.
Kensington Palace announced on Monday that William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, had chosen Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lady Laura Meade, Hannah Gillingham and Lucy Middleton as the six godparents for their youngest son. They are all friends and family members who will be present at the ceremony led by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
Welby tweeted that he was "delighted and privileged" to be baptising the young prince.
Prince Louis will wear the handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen. The Lily Font and water from the River Jordan will be used during the baptism, Kensington Palace said, confirming that 11-week-old Louis will be wearing the same robe worn by his older brother Prince George and sister Princess Charlotte during their christening ceremonies.
Following the service, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will give a private tea at Clarence House. Guests will be served slices of christening cake, which is a tier taken from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding cake, the palace said.
Among the limited guests will be Louis' newly-wed uncle and aunt Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with Kate's pregnant sister Pippa Middleton and their brother James Middleton.
Prince Louis' grandfather, Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall will also attend the ceremony.
Matt Holyoak, whose work has been displayed in London's iconic National Portrait Gallery, will be the official photographer at the event.
Louis Arthur Charles was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital at Paddington in London the same place where his elder siblings were born.
While George, now four years old, was also christened at the Chapel Royal in St James' Palace, their three-year-old sister Charlotte was baptised at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on the Queen's estate.
The Royal Christening Robe, of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was made in 1841 for the christening of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal. The original gown was subsequently worn for all royal christenings, including the queen, her children and her grandchildren, until the youngest of the queen's eight grandchildren, James, Viscount Severn.
The queen commissioned Angela Kelly to make a hand-made replica of the Royal Christening Robe in order to preserve the original.
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