Prince Louis' christening: Meghan and Harry join Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for Chapel Royal service
![Prince Louis in his mother’s arms at his St James’ Palace christening [Photo: PA]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7ThX9zt3Vc6Edtu_3aTXdA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/5b495b982274f4c808e5464d240de4b2)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are today celebrating Prince Louis’ christening at Chapel Royal in St James’ Palace.
The Duchess of Cambridge has stuck to her go-to label and donned another Alexander McQueen look for the service, paired with a Jane Taylor hat.
Princess Charlotte is wearing a cap-sleeved blue smock dress and George is in a shorts and shirt combo.
Members of the Royal Family arrive at St James’s Palace for the christening of Prince Louis. pic.twitter.com/3pDk4D898C
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 9, 2018
Joining Kate and William is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (the latter wearing a khaki Ralph Lauren ensemble and a Stephen Jones hat), Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall (with Camilla wearing Fiona Clare and a Locke hat), the Middleton family (including Pippa’s husband James Matthews) and Louis’ six godparents.
![The Duchess of Cambridge was all smiles as she cradled her son outside the chapel [Photo: PA]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Iczg35CjEdhlu46aehNUWA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NzQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/11a0b9db0545c6543c461633b20cf0bc)
![A first look at all five members of the Cambridge family [Photo: PA]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AJccXB8dHHLM5rscUgg7jA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0MjQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/24f8b630c0dd4895e33f13279ae5f175)
However, as announced earlier today, the Queen and Prince Philip are absent from the celebrations.
Prince Louis is wearing a handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen. Louis will become the eighth royal baby to wear the gown.
Why isn’t the Queen attending?
Kensington Palace released a list of those attending the service this morning – and Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh weren’t on it. The pair attended both Prince George’s christening in 2013 and Princess Charlotte’s in 2015. There’s no official explanation on why the most senior royals are skipping their great-grandson’s christening, but it appears it’s not due to ill health.
The Queen & Philip have just spent the weekend together in Norfolk. He is remaining there while she travels back to London today. Her decision not to attend was mutually agreed with William & Kate, while Philip clearly doesn’t want to attend public events unless he really has to.
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) July 9, 2018
It’s likely that the Queen isn’t attending as the christening is set to be a fairly low-key occasion, with just as handful of royals and family members attending.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, is conducting the service this afternoon and the Lily Font and water from the River Jordan will be used during the baptism.
Royal correspondant Rebecca English shared a video of the godparents – and the Middleton family – arriving at the chapel:
The godparents arrive along with the Middleton family for Prince Louis’s christening pic.twitter.com/3uZvWw54ZB
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) July 9, 2018
Who are Prince Louis’ godparents?
Louis’ godparents are a mix of close friends and family members: Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, The Lady Laura Meade and Robert Carter are all friends of the Duke and Duchess’ and and Lucy Middleton is Kate’s cousin.
Which readings and hymns are included in the service?
The Duke and Duchess have chosen two hymns, two lessons and two anthems for their son’s christening, tweets royal correspondent Russel Myers.
Who’s taking Prince Louis’ official christening portraits?
According to royal correspondent Richard Palmer, Matt Holyoak will take the family photos.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked portrait photographer Matt Holyoak to be the official photographer at the christening of Prince Louis. Mr. Holyoak will take the official photographs at Clarence House following the service in The Chapel Royal, Kensington Palace says.
— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) July 9, 2018
Holyoak has photographed numerous celebrities and royals, including the Queen and Prince Philip.
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.
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