Prince George's christening service ceremony was held at St. James' Palace on October 23, 2013. The royal baby was christened by by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, in the Royal Chapel at St James's Palace today, three months after he was born on 22 July.
The public was able to see Prince George for the first time since his birth when he arrived for the christening service with his parents Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince George was dressed in a lace and satin christening gown, which was a replica of the one made in 1841 for the christening of all the royal babies, including Prince William. However, the replica made in 2008 has been used for the first time by Prince George so that the original piece can be preserved.
Prince Charles, uncle Prince Harry, Carole and Michael Middleton were among the few guests who attended the intimate ceremony.
The royal baby's seven godparents have been named: Prince William's cousin Zara Tindall, Oliver Baker (friend of William and Kate), Emilia Jardine-Paterson (Kate's friend), William van Cutsem (William's friend), Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton (former private secretary for royal couple and Prince Harry), Julia Samuel (friend of the late Princess Diana), and Earl Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster.
St. James's Palace is the place where Prince William's mother Princess Diana rested for five days before her funeral.
The christening cake is a tier from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding cake in 2011. The ceremony is still underway and can be watched online via live stream HERE.
Rev. Welby said, "As a nation we are celebrating the birth of someone who in due course will be the head of state. That's extraordinary. It gives you this sense of forward looking, of the forwardness of history as well as the backwardness of history, and what a gift to have this new life and to look forward."
Prince George's christening will be honored with a christening coin from the Royal Mint, which will start at 13 pounds.
Days before the christening ceremony, nearly 5,000 Christians signed a giant card blessing Prince George.
The king-sized christening card was delivered to St James's Palace by Premier Christian Radio chief executive Peter Kerridge.
The blessing reads:
God of Life, we rejoice in the gift of a son to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
We prays for William and Catherine as they love and care for George Alexander Louis. Help and equip them as parents, especially as they make solemn promises before You to nurture their son in the Christian faith.
King of Kings, strengthen this family by your Holy Spirit, that they may use the privileges, opportunities, and challenges that come with their national roles, for the good of all and as a witness to Your Light.
We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, and for the sake of Your kingdom of love and peace. Amen.
Mr Kerridge said: "As William and Kate make promises to bring Prince George up in the love of Jesus Christ, we know that Christians all over Britain will want to send their blessings to the royal family on this special occasion so we've made it possible for them to sign up to our unique Christening card."
