Prince Louis will have six godparents when he is christened at St James’s Palace later today, Kensington Palace has revealed.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will not be attending the christening, however, after a busy week of high-profile events in central London and ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump.
A Kensington Palace source said that the Queen’s non-attendance is not related to illness, but was mutually agreed some time ago.
The christening was described as a small affair with immediate family and godparents.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lady Laura Meade, Hannah Gillingham and Lucy Middleton to be godparents for their youngest child.
All are friends or family of the royal couple.
The six will attend Prince Louis’ christening on Monday, taking part in what is expected to be a traditional ceremony at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace.
For photographs of the occasion the family have asked Matt Holyoak, who photographed the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on their 70th wedding anniversary.
The young prince is set to wear a replica of the royal christening robe, a white lace, satin-lined dress first worn in 1841 and now reproduced by dressmaker to the Queen Angela Kelly.
Water from the River Jordan will be poured from the Lily Font, a silver baptismal font commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1840, during the baptism.
After the ceremony, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will serve guests christening cake, taken from one of the eight tiers of their seven-year-old wedding cake, at a private tea.
As well as Prince Louis’ new godparents, the Prince of Wales, the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the Middleton family will attend.
Who are Prince Louis’ new godparents?
:: Nicholas van Cutsem
An international business developer, Mr Van Cutsem is friends with both Harry and William through their parents, who met at Cambridge University. He is a former major with the Household Cavalry’s lifeguards.
:: Guy Pelly
Party animal friend of Harry and William, Guy Pelly spent his career running posh nightclubs. He attended prep school and Eton College with Prince Harry, who attended his wedding in 2014.
:: Harry Aubrey-Fletcher
Prince William was an usher at Mr Aubrey-Fletcher’s wedding to Louise Stourton in 2010. He went to Eton College and went on to work in mergers and acquisitions at a US banking firm.
:: Lady Laura Meade
Lady Meade is married to James Meade, who is one of the godparents of Princess Charlotte. The pair are friends with William and Catherine and James spoke at their wedding.
:: Lucy Middleton
Kate’s cousin on her father’s side, Ms Middleton is a London-based solicitor. Her daughter was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Meghan and Harry in May.
:: Hannah Gillingham
Otherwise known as Mrs Robert Carter, Hannah Gillingham is one of Kate’s best friends from school – the exclusive Marlborough College in Wiltshire. The two are thought to have played on several sports teams together.
From – SkyNews
