World Gets Glimpse of Prince George at Royal Christening - East Idaho News
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World Gets Glimpse of Prince George at Royal Christening

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Getty 102313 RoyalBaby?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1382550786493JOHN STILLWELL,ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images(LONDON) — The world got another glimpse of Britain’s future king Wednesday, as 3-month-old Prince George arrived for his christening in the arms of his father Prince William.

Though Prince William has described his son as “a bit of a rascal,” Prince George looked the picture of calm as he was brought into Saint James’ Palace for his christening.

Alongside them was a relaxed-looking Kate who wore a cream Alexander McQueen outfit and matching Jane Taylor hat.

Already wearing the brand-new replica lace and satin christening gown, originally commissioned by Queen Victoria, George was whisked into the private ceremony along with his parents and 22 guests including the queen, Prince Charles and Camilla.

[ VIEW SLIDESHOW:  Prince George’s Christening ]

This was the first time the public has seen the Prince since he was introduced to the world outside Saint Mary’s Hospital three months ago. A crowd had gathered by the Palace gates but the christening party drove straight past them, only being caught by TV cameras as they made their way into the Chapel Royal.

William and Kate chose this location, a relatively small, intimate church, because of the significance it has for them both. For William, it is where his late mother Princess Diana’s coffin lay before her funeral and, for Kate, it was the place where she was confirmed shortly after she got engaged to the Duke of Cambridge.

Only immediate family, godparents and their spouses were in attendance.

The christening has been a further example of how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have tried to bring an element of modernity to the monarchy but very much within the compounds of tradition. They opted for close family friends instead of taking the traditional path of selecting royals because, it is thought, they want George to grow up with a degree of normality.

The choice of godparents is a clear example of this says royal historian Robert Lacey. “They are obviously aiming for something more informal,” Lacey said.

World Equestrian Games gold medalist and William’s cousin Zara Tindall, is the only royal amongst the seven godparents chosen by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Another notable godparent selection is Julia Samuel, a close friend of Princess Diana, William’s mother.

By choosing close friends of both he and his wife, Prince William’s selections are in stark contrast to the godparents that were selected for him. Among his guardians are Dukes and Duchesses and even King Constantine of Greece.

However, Lacey is swift to add that while William has deviated from tradition in some respects, “There’s no sense that he is a royal rebel.”

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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