Prince George's Christening Includes Hymns and Bible Verses

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Britain's Prince William carries his son Prince George, as he arrives with his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge for their son's christening at St James's Palace in London October 23, 2013. | (Photo: Reuters/John Stillwell/pool)

The christening of Prince George occurred on Wednesday in London, complete with meaningful hymns and readings from the Bible.

Three-month-old His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge was baptized at The Chapel Royal, St. James' Palace on Wednesday, Oct. 23 before royal family members including his parents, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Queen Elizabeth II.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen two hymns, two anthems and two lessons for the service," a state from the palace confirmed. "The hymns are 'Breathe on Me, Breath of God' and 'Be Thou My Vision.'"

The proud parents asked Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton to each give readings during Wednesday's 35-minute-long christening ceremony.

Consequently, Pippa read the first lesson from Luke, chapter 18, verses 15 through 17; while Harry read St. John chapter 15, verses 1 through 5.

The hymns were "Blessed Jesu! Here We Stand," which is the song Richard Popplewell wrote for William on his baptism back in 1982, and John Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You Safe."

Both anthems were performed by the Choir of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal and 10 Children of the Chapel Royal, according to a statement from the Palace.

The private ceremony also the firstborn son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge held in the Lily Font in water from the River Jordan wearing a hand-made replica of the royal christening robe worn by Princess Victoria in 1841. George's christening gown was made by Queen Elizabeth's dressmaker, Angela Kelly.

Earlier on Wednesday, St. James' Palace released the names of Prince George's seven godparents, selected by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Surprisingly, neither Prince Harry nor Pippa Middleton were among those selected by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to be Prince George's godparents.

Godparents include William's first cousin Zara Phillips (Mrs. Michael Tindall) who is 15th in line to the throne, as well as William's childhood friend William van Cutsem.

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who served as a Private Secretary for the Duke, Duchess and Prince Harry from 2005 to 2012, is also a godparent to baby George.

Rounding out the list of godparents is a friend from the University of St. Andrews Oliver Baker, the son of the Duke of Westminster Earl (a.k.a. Hugh) Grosvenor, Kate Middleton's friend from Marlborough College Emilia Jardine-Paterson, and finally, Julia Samuel- and close friend of William's late mother, Princess Diana.