With just one week to go, excitement is building for Prince George’s christening and further details of the ceremony have been revealed.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s three-month-old son will be christened in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace next Wednesday afternoon surrounded by close family members.
The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry will gather at the Chapel at 3pm.
They will be joined by Kate’s family including Michael and Carole Middleton. The service which will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby and will last “approximately 45 minutes” according to Kensington Palace.
The full guest list for the christening is yet to be revealed, although Princess Anne and the Countess of Wessex are not expected to attend.
The Princess Royal will be on an official visit to Canada, while the Countess has engagements planned in the West Country.
“We are not giving details of the guest list at this stage,” a spokesman for the Cambridge’s said last week. “All we are saying is that it will be a small intimate affair with close family and others, which include godparents.”
Prince George was born on July 22 in the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. Just a day later the proud parents left the hospital, where Prince William was also born, giving the world the first glimpse of the mini monarch-to-be.
Last month, the Duke and Duchess confirmed plans for the christening choosing St James’s Palace for the private service.
It is believed the couple decided the Chapel Royal would be the perfect place for George’s christening as they simply preferred the Chapel.
The last member of the Royal Family to be christened at St James’s Palace was Prince William’s cousin Princess Beatrice in December 1988.
While Prince George’s service will be a private affair, photos of the Royals will be released shortly after.