Britain's baby Prince George was christened in a private ceremony on Wednesday, with his proud parents Prince William and Kate giving the world a rare glimpse of the chubby three-month-old boy.
Wearing a frilly cream lace gown, the third in line to the throne was carried into the Chapel Royal of St James's palace by his father, his mother Kate close by, elegant in a cream Alexander McQueen outfit.
Queen Elizabeth II and the couple's parents and siblings, including William's younger brother Prince Harry, were among just 22 guests at the ceremony, including seven newly-named godparents.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual head of the world's Anglicans, performed the baptism, which involves pouring holy water from the River Jordan on the baby's head.
Television pictures showed the light-haired George Alexander Louis appearing wide awake and calm. He even gave the semblance of waving at the 87-year-old queen, his great-grandmother, when his father moved his arm up and down.
"He's all ready," William, 31, told the assembled party, which included his father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, adding: "So far so good."
The low-key ceremony reflects the fact that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge want their son to have a relatively normal upbringing and have closely guarded his privacy. He has only appeared in public once before, when they left hospital after his birth on July 22.
The couple broke with tradition by naming only one royal, William's cousin and champion horse-rider Zara Philips, among the godparents, with the others being childhood, university and work friends.
The ceremony welcomes Prince George into the Church of England, which he is destined to lead as future king and "Defender of the Faith".
During his address, Welby spelt out George's responsibilities as a Christian, saying he "is to share the life of Christ".
"That sharing may be in words, or generous actions -- most likely both -- but it will be both very costly and infinitely rewarding," he added.
Harry and Kate's sister Pippa Middleton, who had both been wrongly tipped as potential godparents, both read passages from the Bible.
Each of the godparents was asked to commit to providing Prince George with guidance as he grew up.
They include Zara Phillips, pregnant with her first child with rugby player husband Mike Tindall; William's childhood friends William van Cutsem and Earl Hugh Grosvenor; Julia Samuel, who was close to William's mother Diana; and Emilia Jardine-Paterson, who went to the private Marlborough College with Kate.
Rounding out the list are Oliver Baker, a friend from St Andrew's University in Scotland, where the royal couple met, and William's long-time aide Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, a former soldier in the elite SAS army unit.
'A very special moment'
A handful of royal fans camped overnight outside the palace hoping for a glimpse of the queen and her three direct heirs -- Prince Charles, his son Prince William and baby George, who is third in line to the throne.
"This is a very special moment. We will see three kings in the making," said John Loughrey, a 58-year-old fan wearing a raincoat bearing the pattern of the Union Jack flag.
He slept out overnight in the rain, but told AFP it did not bother him, adding: "This is a unique, historic moment."
In the House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron urged lawmakers to "join me in celebrating" the event.
The christening was sharp contrast to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's lavish 2011 wedding, which was broadcast live on televisions across the world, and to the media frenzy surrounding the birth of their first child.
Just six members of the royal family attended, along with Kate's parents Michael and Carole Middleton and her siblings James and Pippa.
The service was conducted behind closed doors although an official photograph by celebrity snapper Jason Bell will be released to the public on Thursday.
Afterwards the guests were invited for tea at Charles's official London residence, Clarence House, where, following British tradition, a portion of William and Kate's wedding cake was to be served.
The official photos are expected to gain iconic status, the first time four generations of monarchs have been pictured together since 1894, at the christening of the future king Edward VIII.
Patrick Jephson, Diana's former private secretary, said the christening sent a strong message about the royal family's durability as a dynasty.
"It reinforces the public perception that the British royal family is going to be around for a long time to come," he told AFP.
AFP
Thu Oct 24 2013
![Chubby Prince George shown off at royal christening Chubby Prince George shown off at royal christening](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-10/51382575457_295x200.jpg)
![RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/81678788517_MahkamahUtama.jpg)
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
![Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/81646741163_DatukWilliamNg.jpg)
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
![Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/71694910732_DatukArthurJoseph.jpg)
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
![Kate Middleton hadir ke Wimbledon bersama anak perempuan, adik Kate Middleton hadir ke Wimbledon bersama anak perempuan, adik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721030897_tbKateBritainsPr.jpg)
Kate Middleton hadir ke Wimbledon bersama anak perempuan, adik
Kate Middleton, isteri kepada Putera William dari Britain, menghadiri perlawanan tenis di Wimbledon pada Ahad bersama anak perempuannya Charlotte dan adiknya Pippa.
![Kate Middleton sertai Trooping the Colour bersama ahli keluarga Kate Middleton sertai Trooping the Colour bersama ahli keluarga](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718469005_tbPrincessofWales.jpg)
Kate Middleton sertai Trooping the Colour bersama ahli keluarga
Puteri Wales menyertai ahli keluarganya di acara perarakan tahunan tentera, Trooping the Colour pada Sabtu.
![Puteri Wales Kate Middleton akan buat penampilan umum pertama tahun ini Puteri Wales Kate Middleton akan buat penampilan umum pertama tahun ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2017-01/71483460962_KateMiddleton.jpg)
Puteri Wales Kate Middleton akan buat penampilan umum pertama tahun ini
Puteri Wales, akan membuat penampilan umum pertamanya tahun ini dengan menyertai keluarganya di Trooping the Colour di London.
![Kate Middleton semakin pulih, sedia hadiri acara diraja Kate Middleton semakin pulih, sedia hadiri acara diraja](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718407054_Princess.jpg)
Kate Middleton semakin pulih, sedia hadiri acara diraja
Acara Trooping the Color yang akan berlangsung hari ini menjadi penampilan umum pertama Puteri Wales itu sejak didiagnos kanser pada Januari lalu.
![Keluarga Diraja Britain 'terharu' dengan sokongan selepas umum kanser Keluarga Diraja Britain 'terharu' dengan sokongan selepas umum kanser](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/81711279128_PrincessofWales.jpg)
Keluarga Diraja Britain 'terharu' dengan sokongan selepas umum kanser
Putera dan Puteri Wales dikatakan "sangat tersentuh dan terharu" dengan kemesraan dan sokongan orang ramai berikutan pengumuman kanser, lapor PA Media/dpa.
![Charles bangga keberanian Kate dedah rawatan kanser Charles bangga keberanian Kate dedah rawatan kanser](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71711145796_KingCharles.jpg)
Charles bangga keberanian Kate dedah rawatan kanser
Charles sangat bangga dengan Kate dan telah terus berhubung rapat dengan menantu kesayangannya itu selama beberapa minggu kebelakangan ini.
![Kate Middleton sahkan hidap kanser Kate Middleton sahkan hidap kanser](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/51711145339_PrincessofWales.jpg)
Kate Middleton sahkan hidap kanser
Isteri pewaris takhta Putera William itu menyifatkan penemuan kanser itu sebagai "satu kejutan besar".
![Kate Middleton ada 'klon'? Kate Middleton ada 'klon'?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/41710930427_KateMiddleton.jpg)
Kate Middleton ada 'klon'?
Kate Middleton terus menjadi topik perdebatan pentaksub teori konspirasi, gara-gara gambar terbaharu beliau bersama suaminya, Putera William.
![Kelibat Kate Middleton dilihat dalam video terbaharu Kelibat Kate Middleton dilihat dalam video terbaharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710825334_TBkatemiddleton.jpg)
Kelibat Kate Middleton dilihat dalam video terbaharu
Ia juga merupakan kali ketiga Kate dilihat di khalayak ramai sejak akhir Disember.
![Kate Middleton 'muncul semula' selepas pembedahan Kate Middleton 'muncul semula' selepas pembedahan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710760167_TBWILLIAMKATE.jpg)
Kate Middleton 'muncul semula' selepas pembedahan
Kate Middleton dilihat menemani suaminya, Putera William di sebuah kedai berhampiran Istana Windsor pada Ahad.