Prince George, the 3-month-old future monarch, was christened Wednesday with water from the River Jordan at a rare four-generation Royal Family gathering.
George, the son of Prince William and his wife, Kate, was christened by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace. The infant wore a replica of an intricate lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter and first used in 1841.
Prince George was christened in front of 22 guests by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
His parents selected two hymns (Breathe on Me, Breath of God and Be Thou My Vision), two lessons (St. Luke ch. 18, versus 15-17 and St. John ch. 15, versus 1-5) and two anthems (Blessed Jesu! Here We Stand and The Lord Bless You and Keep You) for the 45-minute ceremony.
The replica christening gown was brought into use in 2008 to help preserve the 170-year-old original, used until then for every royal christening, including those of Prince William and his father, Charles.
The venue for the christening also has a special significance for Prince William. The body of his mother, Diana, rested in the Chapel Royal for five days before her funeral in 1997.
After the service, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, held a private tea at Clarence House. The guests were served slices of christening cake, which is a tier taken from William and Catherine’s 2011 wedding cake.