Britain's Prince Louis christened without Queen

AFP  |  London 

Britain's of Cambridge, the baby son of and his wife Kate, was christened today but did not attend.

However, the decision for them not to attend Louis' baptism at Palace in was understood to have been mutually agreed by the sovereign and the Duke and Duchess of some time ago, and was not health-related.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the of the world's Anglicans, lead the service in the at St

Welby baptised by pouring holy water from the over his head. The 11-week-old prince was fast asleep as carried him into the chapel.

She told Welby that was "very relaxed and peaceful", adding: "I hope he stays like this." Louis is fifth in the line of succession to the British throne after his grandfather Prince Charles, his father William, George and He is one of Elizabeth's seven great-grandchildren.

The sovereign and Prince will return to from the monarch's private Sandringham estate in today.

From the royal family, the baptism was attended by William's father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla; William's brother Prince Harry and his new wife Meghan; plus Louis' siblings George and

From the duchess's side, Kate's parents and Carole, brother James, pregnant sister and her husband were there.

The six godparents, who also attended with their spouses, are all friends or family of and They include Guy Pelly, once dubbed the "court jester" to and Harry for his wild ways that were often cited as a bad influence on the brothers in their youth, running their favourite drinking haunts.

Louis' other godparents are: Nicholas van Cutsem, whose family is close to the royals; William's school pal Harry Aubrey-Fletcher; Laura Meade, who is married to William's close friend James Meade; Kate's schoolfriend Hannah Carter; and the duchess's cousin

Welby used the Lily Font, commissioned by Victoria for the baptism of her first child in 1841. Louis wore the replica of the royal christening robe, first used in 2008. The original, retired in order to preserve it, was worn for all royal baptisms since 1841.

William and were to host a private tea afterwards. As after George and Charlotte's baptisms, guests will be served slices of the duke and duchess's wedding cake.

Arthur Charles of was born on April 23 -- St. George's Day, -- at in central weighing eight pounds and seven ounces (3.8 kilogrammes).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, July 10 2018. 01:05 IST