Wednesday 23 October 2013

A Queen and 3 Future Kings -- The Christening Photo of Prince George is Revealed

The christening photograph of HRH Prince George of Cambridge that many have been eagerly awaiting is of HM The Queen with three future kings: Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George. The last, and most famous, christening photograph of a sovereign with three future sovereigns is this one from 1894:

A Queen and Three Kings:
Photograph of Queen Victoria and the future
King Edward VII, King George V and King Edward VIII.
Occasion: The Christening of the future
King Edward VIII in 1894.
I am pleased to report that the christening photograph of HRH Prince George with his father, grandfather and great-grandmother has just been released. It is remarkable to think that, together, these photographs currently span almost 200 years and have the potential to eventually span 300 years. Queen Victoria was born in 1819 and, with increased life expectancy and medical/scientific advances, there is every possibility that Prince George will live remain on the throne in 2119. Quite remarkable!

Christening Photograph of HRH Prince George of Cambridge
with HM The Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duke of Cambridge
Released 24 October 2013.
Clarence House

Seated: HM The Queen, TRH The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge with HRH Prince George
Standing: TRH The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry of Wales
Miss Pippa Middleton, Mr. James Middleton, Mr & Mrs Michael Middleton
Released 24 October 2013
Clarence House

Details, Guest list and Godparents for The Christening of HRH Prince George of Cambridge at St. James's Palace

Details of The Christening of HRH Prince George of Cambridge at the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace have been released today.

In keeping with the desire to have a small and low-key event, only a few guests have been invited.

The Guests:

HM The Queen & HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
HRH Prince Harry of Wales
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Middleton, Mr. James Middleton and Miss Pippa Middleton

The Godparents:


  • Mr Oliver Baker (Oliver Baker attended the University of St Andrews with The Duke and Duchess)
  • Mrs David Jardine-Paterson (Emilia Jardine-Paterson attended Marlborough College with The Duchess)
  • Earl Grosvenor (Hugh) (Earl Grosvenor is the son of The Duke of Westminster)
  • Mr Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton (Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry from 2005-2012 and continues to serve part-time as Principal Private Secretary and Equerry)
  • The Hon Mrs Michael Samuel (Julia Samuel was a close friend of The Princess of Wales)
  • Mrs Michael Tindall (Zara Tindall is The Duke of Cambridge’s cousin)
  • Mr William van Cutsem (William van Cutsem is a childhood friend of The Duke of Cambridge)
Prince George will wear the hand made replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen.
HRH Prince George will be baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Lily Font with water from the River Jordan.
Following the service, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will host a private tea in Clarence House. Guests will be served christening cake, which is a tier taken from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cake.
Yesterday, Lambeth Palace released this video in which the Archbishop of Canterbury discussed the "hugely important" baptism of Prince George and expressed his desire that it serve as an inspiration to others.


Monday 21 October 2013

"The Royals": Major Documentary Series on the modern history of the Royal Family


As the world looks forward to the christening of HRH Prince George of Cambridge in the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace on Wednesday, 23 October, Britain's Channel 5 TV has launched a major new series about the royal family. "The Royals" is a six-part documentary series produced by Content TV and Back2Back productions. Following its UK broadcast, the series, which deals with a range of royal subjects, will be distributed globally.

Discussing royal babies on "The Royals", the landmark
six-part series produced by Content TV and Back2Back Productions
and distributed globally.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the first episode examined the evolution in the treatment of "Royal Babies" over the past several generations. I am pleased to be one of the "talking heads" in this series -- and some of my contributions were broadcast in this episode, which aired last night in the UK. Stay tuned for future episodes covering a broad range of royal subjects (including weddings, funerals, state ceremonies and....pets!).