World Gets Glimpse of Prince George at Royal Christening
LONDON, Oct. 23, 2013 -- The world got another glimpse of Britain's future king today, as 3-month old Prince George arrived for his christening in the arms of his father Prince William.
Though Prince William has described his son as "a bit of a rascal," Prince George looked the picture of calm as he was brought into Saint James' Palace for his christening.
Must-See Photos From Prince George's Christening
Alongside them was a relaxed-looking Kate who wore a cream Alexander McQueen outfit and matching and Jane Taylor hat.
Royal Baby Revealed in Family Photos
Already wearing the brand-new replica lace and satin christening gown, originally commissioned by Queen Victoria, George was whisked into the private ceremony along with his parents and 22 guests including the queen, Prince Charles and Camilla.
This was the first time the public has seen the Prince since being introduced to the world outside Saint Mary's Hospital three months ago. A crowd had gathered by the Palace gates but the christening party drove straight past them, only being caught by TV cameras as they made their way into the Chapel Royal.
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William and Kate chose this location, a relatively small, intimate church, because of the significance it has for both them both. For William, it is where his late mother Princess Diana's coffin lay before her funeral and, for Kate, it was the place where she was confirmed shortly after she got engaged to the Duke of Cambridge.
Only immediate family, godparents and their spouses were in attendance.
Roya Nikkhah, a royal family commentator and writer, says the location is also significant because of the intimacy it brought to the christening.
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"At William's christening there were 60 guests," Nikkhah told ABC, adding that the couple, "want to do it very much their own way and make it a family tradition."
The christening has been a further example of how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have tried to bring an element of modernity to the monarchy but very much within the compounds of tradition.
The choice of godparents is a clear example of this says royal historian Robert Lacey.
"They are obviously aiming for something more informal," Lacey said.
World Equestrian Games gold medalist and William's cousin Zara Tindall, is the only royal amongst the seven godparents chosen by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
They opted for close family friends instead of taking the traditional path of selecting royals because, it is thought, they want George to grow up with a degree of normality.
Another notable godparent selection is Julia Samuel, a close friend of Princess Diana, William's mother.
By choosing close friends of both he and his wife, Prince William's selections are in stark contrast to the godparents that were selected for him. Among his guardians are Dukes and Duchesses and even King Constantine of Greece.
However, Lacey is swift to add that while William has deviated from tradition in some respects, "There's no sense that he is a royal rebel."
No pictures will be available from the actual christening itself until tomorrow but it is thought that the actual service, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, will be very typical indeed for a direct heir to the throne.
After the service the party moves onto Clarence House where the guests will, in keeping with tradition, be treated to a tier of cake from Kate and William's 2011 wedding.
