Prince George's Family Gathers for Christening, Godparents Revealed

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

The British royal family came together in London today for Prince George's christening, revealing all seven of the royal baby's godparents.

Three-month-old His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge is to be christened 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.

Also expected at his christening are "close members of both families" including the child's paternal grandparents; Prince Charles and his wife Camilla. Also, Middleton's parents Carole and Michael Middleton are expected to attend, in addition to her siblings Pippa and James.

Surprisingly, Prince Harry nor Pippa Middleton were among those selected by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to be Prince George's godparents.

St. James's Palace unveiled the list of seven godparents on Wednesday, including William's first cousin Zara Phillips (Mrs. Michael Tindall), who is 15th in line to the throne.

Furthermore, William's childhood friend William van Cutsem is among Prince George's godparents, as well as Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton who served as a Private Secretary for the Duke, Duchess and Prince Harry from 2005 to 2012.

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 later mother, Princess Diana.

It is said that holding the christening at The Chapel Royal is Prince William's homage to Princess Di, whose body was held there before her funeral in 1997.

"It's a special place for William," one source told Us Weekly. "Having the service there is one way of involving his mother, who he so wishes could be here for all of this."

In total, 22 people will attend Prince George's christening. The three-month-old will wear a hand-made replica of the royal christening robe made by the Queen's dressmaker, Angela Kelly.

Furthermore, George will be held in the Lily Font in water from the Rover Jordan during the ceremony.

Portraits taken from the special event are expected to be released on Thurs. Oct 24. They are being shot by famed photographer Jason Bell, according to the Daily Mail.