The Queen and Prince Philip will not attend Prince Louis’s christening this afternoon according to Buckingham Palace.
In the announcement of the young prince’s godparents, it was revealed that his great-grandparents will not be in attendance.
According to Buckingham Palace, this is due to a busy work week for the Queen, who will be traveling back to London today from Sandringham, which includes a service for the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force and a visit from US President Donald Trump. Prince Philip, who retired in 2017, has sporadically attended royal events since then, missing Trooping the Colour in June, but attending his grandson, Prince Harry’s wedding in May.
Buckingham Palace stressed that there is no cause for concern.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Mike and Carole Middleton, Prince Louis’s grandparents, will attend the christening this afternoon. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Pippa and James Matthews, and James Middleton will also attend, as will Prince Louis’s godparents and their spouses.
Prince Louis will wear a replica christening gown designed by The Queen’s dressmaker, Angela Kelly, which replicates the gown commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1841 and used for royal births until 2003.
Prince Louis will be baptised using the Lily Font, which was commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840, and water from the River Jordan. Following his christening, his parents will host a tea at Clarence House and serve christening cake – a tier of cake taken from their wedding cake.