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HRH Grumps – but by George, he’s gorgeous! Not a tear, not a peep from our future king as prince is christened at St James’s Palace
- The world able to see Prince George in public for the first time in three months as he arrived to be christened
- Royal fans braved the wind and rain and slept on street in London to be outside St James’s Palace yesterday
- George was baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the historic Chapel Royal yesterday afternoon
- Guest list secret until yesterday morning and in break from tradition most uncles, aunts and cousins not invited
- The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh celebrated with the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry
- Kate’s family also there along with Her Majesty and three future monarchs – Charles, William and George
- George was baptised using water from the River Jordan in a replica of royal christening robe first made in 1841
- Christening followed by tea at Clarence House served with slices of Kate and William’s wedding cake from 2011
By REBECCA ENGLISH, STEVE DOUGHTY, DAVID WILKES, MARTIN ROBINSON and MARK DUELL
He was on his best behaviour. With the eyes of the world on him, His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge put on a perfect display of royal etiquette.
In an historic ceremony which brought together four generations of the Royal Family, the three-month-old future king was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace yesterday.
Dressed in a handmade replica of Queen Victoria’s daughter’s christening robe, George bore a striking resemblance to his father at a similar age.
Smiling and happy: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge grinned at their family as they held their young prince
Sweet child: The public got the chance to see three-month-old Prince George as he was taken into St James Palace for his christening yesterday
LIZ JONES FASHION VERDICT: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a cream Alexander McQueen jacket with a fluted lapel over a matching dress, and a jaunty Jane Taylor hat. I love the narrow sleeves of the jacket, while the hair is gorgeously sleek and restrained, denoting her new grown-up status. Her shoes were off-white LK Bennetts, her favourite brand. At least it’s a change from her usual nude court shoe
Touching: William and Kate laugh uproariously as they speak to Her Majesty the Queen, who is George’s great-grandmother
Happy occasion: The proud parents are walked from the chapel by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who had just baptised George
Delight: The Duke of Cambridge holds his son Prince George (left), while the baby is held by Kate (right) who stands next to the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres
Quiet: Prince George appeared contented as he was held by his mother on only his second public appearance since he was carried from the Lindo Wing in July
According to aides, there wasn’t ‘even a peep’ out of the three-month-old future king as he was baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace.
ROYAL ORDER OF SERVICE: THE BAPTISM OF PRINCE GEORGE
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge asked their siblings to do readings at Prince George’s christening service.
Harry read a passage from the gospel of St John (15: 1-5), which begins ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener’, while Pippa read the famous ‘Suffer little children that they come unto me’ passage from the gospel of St Luke (18:15-17).
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, baptised Prince George, supported by the Dean of The Chapel Royal, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, and the Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal, the Rev Prebendary William Scott.
The two hymns sung at the service were Breathe On Me, Breath Of God, and Be Thou My Vision.
Blessed Jesu! Here We Stand was written for Prince William’s baptism on 4 August 1982, and the anthems were performed by the Choir of Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal.
The processional altar music was Bach’s Fantasia in G (BWV 572), while the recessional altar music was Widor’s Toccata from Symphony No.5.
‘He went in smiling, came out smiling and, as far as we are aware, smiled throughout,’ said one.
William, however, could not resist confiding: ‘It’s the first time he’s been quiet all day.’
The Archbishop of Canterbury told the congregation in the Holbein-painted chapel that George’s parents and godparents had a ‘simple task’ – to ‘make sure he knows who this Jesus is’.
The simplicity of the half-hour ceremony contrasted with the historic grandeur of the surroundings.
The heart of Mary I is buried beneath the choir-stalls and Elizabeth I prayed there for the defence of the realm against the Spanish armada in 1588.
George’s life too, is already steeped in history. The Archbishop made the sign of the cross on his head with water taken from the River Jordan, in a royal tradition that dates back to the 12th century.
The water was poured into the silver Lily Baptismal Font which was commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 and has been used at every royal christening since.
His parents’ guest list for the christening – which left out senior members of the family including Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Princess Anne – was a surprise to some. It did, however, result in the ‘intimacy’ the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge craved.
Indeed, there were just 23 guests present, giving the christening a feel of a family gathering rather than the moment a future Supreme Governor was presented to his Church.
Brother: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge asked their siblings to do the readings during the 45-minute ceremony, with Harry reading John (15: 1-5), which begins ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener’
LIZ JONES FASHION VERDICT: Perfection: the Queen wore a sky blue cashmere coat with mother of pearl buttons over a paisley dress by Scottish couturier Stewart Parvin, with a (warm!) cashmere hat made by her redoubtable dresser, Angela Kelly. The brooch is a ruby and diamond basket of flowers given to her by King George to mark the birth of Prince Charles in 1948
Siblings: Pippa and James Middleton walk out of the chapel with the small congregation, including their smiling mother Carole yesterday afternoon
Grandparents: Michael and Carole Middleton walk away from the christening ////// LIZ JONES FASHION VERDICT: Carole Middleton has chosen a trompe l’oeil – or trick of the eye –coat, with a lace insert to give her an hour-glass shape, which she doesn’t really need. The hat is too big and floppy, the sort you’d wear on holiday in Tuscany, and the hair should be more ‘done’. But at least her choice of designer, Catherine Walker, is an homage to Diana, the grandmother who sadly couldn’t be there
Joyous: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cornwall followed by the Prince of Wales (background) leave the Chapel Royal holding programmes from the event
Colourful: The St James’s Palace detachment of The Queen’s Guard turns out in Colour Court, St James Palace, for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II, ahead of the christening
Still smiling: Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton leaves Kensington Palace after the christening of Prince George at the Chapel Royal in St James’ Palace.For the Queen it was very much business as usual. She broke away from her schedule for only an hour – and was last night busy hosting a charity reception at the Palace.Earlier, Kensington Palace unveiled the long awaited list of godparents. Among the seven, there was no royalty, just a smattering of close friends, relatives and advisers.
They are Oliver Baker, Kate and William’s flatmate at St Andrew’s, interior decorator Emilia Jardine-Paterson, William’s cousin Zara Tindall and his childhood friend William van Cutsem, one of William’s most trusted confidantes.
At just 22, Hugh, Earl Grosvenor, was the youngest. He is the son of one of the country’s richest men, the Duke of Westminster, whose wife, Natalia, is one of William’s godmothers.
Royal thanks: Her Majesty and her husband Prince Philip speak to the senior clergyman as they arrived for the christening with Prince Charles and Camilla following them
LIZ JONES FASHION VERDICT: Despite the modest, high neckline and the trapeze shape of her back-pleated coat, which ensured her world-famous buttocks remained obscured, Pippa stole the show. She wore head-to-toe British, each piece hand-made in London. Her cream wool coat was based on a 1960s design, with blush pink trim and oyster silk lining over a blush lace ‘Paris’ dress, both by Suzannah. I love the fact the coat makes her appear demure yet edgy: it has an Audrey Hepburn vibe about it. The pillbox hat is by Edwina Ibbotson, and shoes and clutch by another London label, Emmy
Break in the clouds: After standing in wet, windy conditions crowds gathered in the Autumn sunshine at St James Palace to see the future king
Huge amount of interest: Spectators stood five or six seep outside the historic St James’s Palace as the royal family were inside
Security: Police stand guard having set up barriers along the usually quiet stretch of Pall Mall in central London
Glowing mother: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge rubs the arm of her young son Prince George as he sits patiently in his car seat
Grandparents: Michael and Carole Middleton seen arriving for the christening of Prince George at the central London palace
Loving uncle and auntie: Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton grinned as they walked towards the historic chapel where George would be baptised
Prince George’s day: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and future king Prince George in his car seat head off to the christening yesterday afternoon
Special occasion: Beaming parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, leave for the christening on a significant day for them and their son Prince George
Proud parents: Kate sat next to their three-month-old child while they couple were swept to St James Palace yesterday afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge was seen to lean over and talk to little Prince George as they arrived at the palace ahead of his 3pm christening yesterday
MINISTERS GIVE GEORGE A TOY BOX
The Cabinet is giving George a hand-crafted pine toy box as a christening present.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said every member had made a contribution to the cost of the chest made by Hibba Toys (UK) of Leeds.
The company’s website advertises a solid pine toy box for £315 with a personalised version for £325.
‘I think it was suggested as an appropriate gift by the Palace,’ the spokesman said. ‘Every member of the Cabinet is contributing.’
Ministers are also making a charitable donation to the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Adding some gravitas to the group is Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, one of William’s longest serving, loyal and most trusted aides, who now works for the royal household on a part-time basis.
And then there is the Hon Mrs Michael Samuel – Julia Samuel – a close friend and confidante of William’s mother, Diana.
It was in the Chapel Royal that Diana’s body lay before her funeral in Westminster Abbey in 1997. Kate also chose the chapel to be confirmed into the Church of England before her marriage to Prince William in April 2011.
Shortly before 3pm yesterday, the family gathered at St James’s Palace to await the Queen.
The guests filed in, including Carole and Pippa Middleton, Kate’s heavily bearded brother James and William and Kate followed with baby George Alexander Louis.
The prince bounced his baby son up and down as Kate, radiant in a cream Alexander McQueen ruffled outfit with a jaunty Jane Taylor hat, beamed proudly.
The Queen was the last to walk in, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. She wore a diamond, ruby and sapphire floral brooch that her own parents had given her on the birth of Prince Charles in 1948.
Two hymns were chosen by the couple – Breathe on Me, Breath of God and be Thou My Vision – while lessons were read by Pippa Middleton (St Luke ch 18, verses 15-17) and Prince Harry (St John ch 15, verses 1-5).
INTRICATE LACE AND SATIN: PRINCE GEORGE’S FAIRYTALE CHRISTENING GOWN THAT WAS A VISION TO BEHOLD
With its long, flowing skirt, Prince George’s fairytale christening gown was a vision to behold.
But the third in line to the throne was swathed in much more than layers of intricate lace and satin when he was popped into the robe yesterday.
He was also wrapped up snugly in 172 years of royal history.
The elaborate cream gown is a handmade replica of one worn by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, the Princess Royal, at her christening in 1841, and then passed down as an heirloom.
The original, made of the same fabric as the wedding dress Queen Victoria wore for her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, went on to be worn by generations of royal babies – 62 in all, including Victoria’s eight other children.
Every British monarch since Edward VII wore it, including the Queen when she was christened in 1926.
So did all four of her children, all her grandchildren and other royal babies.
Created by Janet Sutherland, a Falkirk coal miner’s daughter, it was delicately crafted from Spitalfields silk, given a satin weave to make it glossy, and trimmed with lace from Honiton, East Devon.
The gown was hand-washed in spring water and carefully stored in a cool, dark place to keep it pristine.
But in 2004, after the christening of Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the cherished antique was deemed too fragile to be used again and went into retirement, preserved at Buckingham Palace.
So loved was it, however, the Queen commissioned an exact replica from her dresser Angela Kelly – with the same cap sleeves, neck bow, ruffled overlay, high waist, long skirt and wide sash.
It was first worn by Edward and Sophie’s son James at his christening in 2008.
Departures: Michael Middleton and nanny Jessie Webb (left) and Earl Grosvenor (right) leave the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace, following the christening of George
Happy day: Emilia Jardine-Paterson and husband David arrive at Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace, central London for the christening of Prince George of Cambridge
Out and in: The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall (right) leave the chapel. Zara Phillips, pregnant with her first child with husband Mike Tindall (right) arrive
Guests: William van Cutsem with wife Rosie leaving the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace (left). Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and his wife (right) are also seen departing
Invited: Oliver Baker (centre in left photo) with partner Mel and Michael Tindall (right in left) arrive at Chapel Royal, where Prince Phillip was also seen (right)
As they walked out it was Kate’s turn to hold baby George, who appeared to be slightly dozing under the watchful eye of their part-time nanny, Jessie Webb.
Afterwards there was just enough time for tea and a slice of christening cake (in line with tradition, a tier of the couple’s wedding cake from 2011) at neighbouring Clarence House before the Queen had to get back to business at Buckingham Palace.
Today an historic set of photographs taken at that tea will be released to the public.
The photographs will, for the first time in more than a century, show a monarch and three living heirs: Prince Charles, 64, Prince William, 31 and George.
The last occasion such a picture was taken was in 1894 when Queen Victoria was photographed with her son Edward VII, grandson George V and great grandson Edward VIII.
LIZ JONES FASHION VERDICT: Zara Tindall is very minimal, and safe, in navy opera coat over matching dress, with flattering and feminine bracelet sleeves. This is a huge advancement on her usual too-short style. I love the matching hat, like a giant scrunchie, and the golden knot of hair
Family friends: Prince George’s godparents Julia Samuel, a close friend of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Duke of Westminster’s son Hugh Grosvenor, right, are pictured arriving with the Hon. Mrs Samuel’s husband, Michael, left
Trusted aide: Prince George’s godfather Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, 53, accompanied by his wife Susannah, arriving at the christening yesterday
George’s godmother Emilia Jardine-Paterson and godfather William van Cutsem, in pink tie, arrived in a minibus also carrying Mrs Jardine-Paterson’s husband, David, centre
Spiritual guidance: George’s godparents Emilia Jardine-Paterson, in black and white dress, left, and Oliver Baker, plus his wife Mel, in grey coat, were bussed to the ceremony
Proud uncle and godmother: Prince Harry, left, followed by a smiling Mike Tindell and his wife Zara, head to join other guests at the baptism to be carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Prince George’s great-grandmother, HM The Queen, arrived in a smart hat just before the baby’s christening at St James’s Palace yesterday afternoon
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, who preached the sermon at the royal wedding, is Dean of the Chapel Royal, where Prince George was christened
The Archbishiop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, who was to christen the young prince, arriving at St James’s Palace with the Revd Dr Jo Wells
A grinning Prince William sat in the front of the car as he was driven from his apartment at Kensington Palace to St James’s Palace for his baby son’s christening
Setting off: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son were due to be guests of honour at a tea party afterwards held by the Prince of Wales at Clarence House
Enthusiasts: Royal Fans, many of whom have slept outside overnight, have returned to London three months after Prince George’s birth so they can celebrate his christening
Waking up on the big day: Royal fan Terry Hut and friends waits outside St James’s Palace hours before the is third in line to the throne will be christened
Braving the wind and rain: Royal fans wait outside the chapel of St James overnight, ready for the christening of Prince George and hopefully a glimpse of the future king
Royal supporters: Well-wishers (left to right) Terry Hutt, Julie Cain, Marie Scott and John Loughrey brave the bad weather as they set up camp up outside the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace in London ahead of the christening of Prince George
Here to celebrate: Royal Fan John Loughrey with Anne Daley and her dog Camilla stand and wait yards from where the heir to the throne will be christened
Personal touch: Terry Hutt displays his warm card and its message for the future king to the cameras yesterday morning
Intimate: The little-known Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert married, has been chosen for Prince George’s christeningROYAL GUEST LIST REVEALED: WHO SAW BABY GEORGE BAPTISED
Family:
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh
The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry
Michael, Carole, James and Pippa Middleton
Prince George’s Godparents:
Oliver Baker – friend from university
Emilia Jardine-Paterson – School friend of Kate
Earl Hugh Grosvenor
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton – Past Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Julia Samuel – Close friend of Princess Diana
Zara Tindall – The Duke of Cambridge’s cousin)
William van Cutsem – childhood friend of William
Extra guest:
Jessie Webb, William’s former nanny
WILLIAM AND KATE’S 22 GUESTS TO ENJOY TEA AND WEDDING CAKE
After Prince George’s christening, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were given a private tea at Clarence House.
The centrepiece was the extraordinary cake that William and Kate enjoyed at their wedding reception.
On April 29, 2011, Prince William and his new wife cut the first slice of the magnificent eight-tiered cake, but one of the tiers was saved for yesterday. Maker Fiona Cairns spent five weeks working on it along with her large team.
Kate had asked for the Joseph Lambeth technique of cake decoration, where intricate piping is used to make three dimensional scroll work, leaves, flowers and other adornments.
‘HELP HIM TO GROW AND FLOURISH’: ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY’S ADDRESS TO PRINCE GEORGE’S GODPARENTS
The Archbishop of Canterbury urged Prince George’s parents and godparents to help the future monarch ‘grow and flourish’ by learning from Jesus.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby’s address, directed to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the godparents, said the prince should be taught that without Christ he is nothing.
In highlights of the address released by Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop was quoted as telling the Duke and Duchess they had a ‘simple task’ – to ‘make sure he knows who this Jesus is. Speak of him, read stories about him. Introduce him in prayer’.
He added: ‘Help him to grow and flourish into the person God has created and has called him to be.’
The Archbishop’s speech was a reminder that the role of the prince as a future monarch will include acting as a figurehead for Christianity with the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
The role remains central to the monarchy, despite Prince Charles’s wish that it should act to defend all faiths rather than just Christianity.
The Archbishop said yesterday’s service was not centred on ‘a maker of rules and regulations’ but on ‘Jesus, who calls each of us to take a journey’.
‘Those who make this journey must look in two directions,’ the Archbishop continued.
‘First, they look at the world. Jesus tells his disciples to let people come to him.
‘To do that they have to be outward looking, in touch with the world, welcoming, generous-spirited, alive with the life of the Christ to whom they will introduce all who come.’
Prince George, the Archbishop added, ‘is to share the life of Christ which is in him, regardless of whom he meets, their faith or nature or habits, so that others find life’.
The Prince must also learn to look towards Christ, he said.
‘He is the only place to go to for the resources George will need so that he is everything he can be, so that he becomes most fully the person God has created him to be. Without me, says Jesus, you can do nothing.’
Meet the godparents: Zara and six of Kate and William’s closest friends will be Prince George’s mentors
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen old friends rather than other royals and dignitaries to be godparents to Prince George.
Julia Samuel: The friend of William’s mother Princess Diana
The Honourable Mrs Michael Samuel, 54, was a close friend of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. A mother of four who lives in west London, her son Benjamin, now 23, was one of Diana’s godsons.
Mrs Samuel is a psychotherapist and counsellor at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, where she helps families who have lost a child or baby.
She helped launch Child Bereavement UK, a charity for families who lose a child or for children who are bereaved, in the presence of Diana. William is now one of the charity’s patrons.
Born Julia Guiness, her sister Sabrina was a girlfriend of Prince Charles. Mrs Samuel is married to businessman Michael,60, and their children are in their 20s.
Nod to the past: Julia Samuel, left, one of Diana Princess of Wales’ closest friends has been handed the honour by the CambridgesWilliam van Cutsem: The son of Prince Charles’ dearest friend and William’s ‘second brother’
No royal occasion is complete these days without a member of this large Catholic family of Norfolk landowners, and William, 34, is the youngest of the late Hugh and Emilie van Cutsem’s four sons.
Educated, like his father, who was a close friend of the Prince of Wales, at Ampleforth, William is the only Catholic godparent and a childhood friend of Prince William.
In May this year William married Rosie Ruck-Keene in the village of Ewelme, south Oxfordshire. Prince Wililam, who reportedly dated Rosie in 2007 when he briefly split from Kate, attended the wedding with his heavily-pregnant wife.
Wililam’s niece Rose van Custem was a flower girl at the royal wedding and was seen covering her ears when the crowds outside Buckingham Palace roared as Kate and William kissed.
Emilia Jardine-Paterson: The Marlborough schoolfriend and Kate’s shoulder to cry on
Emilia, whose maiden name was d’Erlanger and who comes from Tiverton in Devon, has known Prince William since she was 19 and Kate for even longer having also attended private school Marlborough College with her.
She and the Duchess are extremely close, and they went to Ibiza together when the now-married couple split-up in 2007.
A talented interior designer, she is said to be helping the Cambridges renovate their apartment at Kensington Palace, which would include decorating Prince George’s bedroom.
She is married to David Jardine-Paterson, who was also at the christening, who is heir to a powerful Scottish land-owning family.
Inner circle: Prince William’s childhood friend William Van Cutsem, 39, (left) and Emilia Jardine-Paterson, 31, have both been asked to be godparents
Zara Tindall: The only member of the royal family asked to give George guidance
Married to rugby player Mike Tindall, with whom she is expecting their first baby early next year, Zara,32, is William’s first cousin and the only member of the royal family to be asked to be godparent.
A down-to-earth event rider who enjoys a drink and is happiest in a pair of scruffy jodhpurs and a fleece, gregarious Zara will help bring a sense of normality into the life of the future King. She won a team silver eventing medal at London’s 2012 Olympics.
Zara, who is said to be a particular favourite of her grandmother, the Queen, married Mr Tindall not at Westminster Abby but at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh in 2011. She pledged to honour, not obey, and kept her maiden name, Phillips, for work.
Calm influence: Zara, pictured with her rugby-playing husband Mike Tindall, will help keep Prince George’s feet on the ground
Oliver Baker: The friend from St Andrew’s trusted with couple’s secrets at University
Oliver Baker, 31, known as Ollie to his closest friends, was part of the couple’s trusted inner circle formed when they all studied together at St Andrew’s University.
George’s now-godfather shared accommodation with them in the Scottish university town and was so attached to the area he married his wife Mel there. She was also at St James’s Palace.
Ollie also lived with the couple in a rural farmhouse in their final year because he was trusted to keep secrets about their private lives.
When Kate moved to London after graduating she then moved into a flat with Ollie’s now wife and the couples are still extremely close.
Ollie married Mel Nicholson at St Andrew’s in 2010 and William and Kate were at the wedding.
Old friend: Oliver Baker, pictured with Prince William at Cheltenham races, went to St Andrew’s University with the coupleHugh Grosvenor: The son of Britain’s wealthiest landowner’s who likes to party
Hugh, Earl Grosvenor, is son and heir of the Duke of Westminster, one of Britain’s richest people, and aged just 22, he will be Prince George’s youngest godparent.
The former Newcastle University student celebrated turning 21 in February last year with a lavish party at his parents’ pile Eaton Hall, near Chester, with entertainment from comedian Michael McIntyre and music from hip hop duo, Rizzle Kicks.
Prince Harry attended the party, which was estimated to have cost several million pounds.
The Duke of Westminster’s land covers the most expensive real estate in Britain and includes 100 acres of Mayfair and 200 acres of Belgravia.
Hugh’s sister, Lady Tamara, married Wililam van Cutsem’s eldest brother Ed, 40, in 2004.
Unlike his father, who went to Eton, Hugh, Earl Grosvenor went to a state primary school followed by a private day school near his country home.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton: The trusted aide who served William, Kate and Harry
The 52-year-old former SAS Major, who has been a private secretary to William and Harry since 2005, has been a constant help and confidant to the young princes.
Married with four children and living in a pretty old rectory in Suffolk, Mr Lowther-Pinkerton was the most senior member of William’s team until he resigned as from his full-time post last month, becoming a one-day-a-week consultant, instead.
Trained at Sandhurst, the discreet former Irish Guard was attached to the SAS for two decades and served in the Gulf War, where he gained a reputatuion as a particularly capable officer.
He was equerry to the Queen Mother from 1984-1986, and has also run risk management training courses for journalists and travellers, schooling them in what to do if you are shot at and how to avoid being kidnapped.
Mentors: Former SAS Major Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, a trusted aide of Prince William since 2005, left, will be one of the godfathers as will Hugh Grosvenor, right
And the senior royals who didn’t make the list of invitees…
Choosing old friends rather than royals and other dignitaries is not the only way in which yesterday’s christening of Prince George was breaking with tradition.
When the three-month-old heir to the throne was christened in the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace yesterday afternoon, there was a noticeably smaller crowd witnessing the event.
Many senior royals including Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Anne, Princess Royal, were not invited by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who wanted to keep their baby’s christening more intimate than lavish royal christenings from days gone by.
None of William’s uncles or aunts attended, meaning – on his father’s side – that the Duke of York, his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Anne, Princess Royal and her husband Tim Laurence were all absent from the festivities.
Not going: Prince Andrew, pictured leaving Lulu’s private members club last night, has not been invited and nor has Prince Edward, pictured in Park Lane yesterday
Not invited: Prince Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, seen visiting an NSPCC centre in Bristol yesterday hours before the christening
None of William’s cousins were there either, other than Zara Tindall who was asked to be Prince George’s godmother. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were not asked, nor was Zara’s brother Peter Phillips, 35, who has two small daughters with his Canadian wife, Autumn.
Diana’s brother Charles Spencer was not there, and nor was the other controversial uncle, Carole Middleton’s tattooed, shaven-headed brother, Gary Goldsmith.
Only the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry attended from William’s family, while the Middleton side was represented by Kate’s parents Michael and Carole, and her siblings, James and Pippa.
Harry’s girlfriend, dancer Cressida Bonas was not asked, and nor was James Middleton’s girlfriend, TV presenter Donna Air or Pippa’s boyfriend, banker Nico Jackson.
With Prince George, his parents, the godparents and their spouses and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, who performed the baptism, there were only around 24 people present at the ceremony.
By contrast William’s christening in August 1982 was attended by more than 60 guests, and the only senior Royals missing were Prince Andrew, who was serving in the Falklands War, and Princess Margaret, who was on holiday in Italy.
William was given six godparents, including former King Constantine II of Greece, Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, and the Duchess of Westminster, whose son, Hugh, will be Prince George’s godfather.
The others were Lady Susan Hussey, a long-time confidante of the Queen, Lord Romsey, who is also Prince Philip’s godson, and the late writer, Sir Laurens van der Post.
REVEALED: THE VOGUE AND VANITY FAIR PHOTOGRAPHER WHO HAS DONE PORTRAITS OF HOLLYWOOD ELITE CHOSEN TO TAKE OFFICIAL CHRISTENING PORTRAIT OF PRINCE GEORGE AND THE ROYAL FAMILY
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen celebrity portrait photographer Jason Bell to take the official pictures to mark the christening of their son Prince George.
Mr Bell is renowned for his images of Hollywood stars and rock and pop legends like Sir Paul McCartney, actress Scarlett Johansson and former England footballer David Beckham.
Kensington Palace confirmed the commission of Bell in a statement, reading: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked Jason Bell to be the official photographer at the christening of their son, Prince George. Mr Bell will take the official photographs at Clarence House following the service in the Chapel Royal.
‘Jason Bell is a well-established portrait photographer and his work has appeared in many of the world’s foremost publications.
‘Many of Jason’s photos have been acquired for the National Portrait Gallery for their permanent collection. He has received a number of awards, including The Royal Photographic Society’s Terence Donovan Award for outstanding contribution to photography and the Best British Black and White Photographer at the British Picture Editor’s Awards.
‘He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society in September 2011.
‘The photographs taken after the ceremony will be historic images that are expected to capture four generations of the royal family together.
‘The pictures will show the Queen with three future monarchs – the Prince of Wales, William and George.
It will echo the picture taken in July 1894 during the christening of the future Edward VIII, showing the royal baby with his father, later George V, grandfather, the future Edward VII, and great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
Mr Bell’s images have been featured in the National Portrait Gallery and published in glossy magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair.
THE SILVER GILT FONT NORMALLY KEPT BEHIND THICK GLASS AND UNDER ARMED GUARD AT THE TOWER OF LONDON
The sign of the cross was made on Prince George’s head with water from the River Jordan in a royal tradition said to stretch back to the Middle Ages.
The river in the Middle East has huge significance in Christianity as it was in its waters that Jesus was, according to the Bible, baptised by John the Baptist.
The Royal family’s use of this water is believed to date back to the days of Richard the Lionheart, who visited the Holy Land in 1191 during the Crusades.
Nowadays, the water is said to be collected from the river in a bottle and then filtered before it is used to baptise royals.
The Lily Font, which forms part of the Crown Jewels and was used for the baptism yesterday, is also customary at royal christenings in the Chapels Royal.
The silver gilt font cost £189 9s 4d in when it was commissioned by Queen Victoria for the 1841 christening of her eldest daughter Victoria, Princess Royal, but is now priceless.
Decorated with water lilies – a symbol of purity – sprays of flowers and lyre-playing cherubs, it usually rests under armed guard, behind 2in-thick glass, in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. It is brought out specially for christenings.
It was used for the christenings of all Queen Victoria’s children, at the christenings of all the Queen’s children and her grandchildren – except Princess Eugenie who was baptised at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham in 1990.
Made by silversmiths EJ and W Barnard, it stands 17in high and 16.5in in diameter.
It also features the royal arms of Queen Victoria and the joint royal arms of Victoria and Prince Albert – Prince George’s great-great-great-great-great-grandparents.
Buckingham Palace yesterday declined to discuss the logistics of how the water from the River Jordan is collected and transported here.
Celebrated baptismal sites such as Qasr el-Yahud and Yardenit on the River Jordan in Israel, are visited by tens of thousands of pilgrims every year who submerge themselves in its waters.
Bottles of ‘holy water from the River Jordan’ are advertised for sale on internet shopping sites including Amazon for £6 for 120ml.
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