Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

'Royal baby' Prince George is christened

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named the baby’s godparents.

image

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their son Prince George arrive at Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace. Pic: John Stillwell/PA Wire

BRITAIN’S PRINCE WILLIAM and his wife Kate named the godparents for their baby son Prince George today, as they gathered close friends and family for a low-key christening far removed from the global hype surrounding his birth.

The couple broke with tradition by only naming one royal, William’s cousin and champion horse-rider Zara Philips, in the list of seven godparents, with the others being childhood, university and work friends.

Queen Elizabeth II and the couple’s parents and siblings including William’s younger brother Prince Harry were among the total of 22 guests invited to the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in London, along with seven godparents.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual head of the world’s Anglicans, will perform the baptism, welcoming the three-month-old into the Church of England he is one day destined to lead as King George VII.

image

Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace, ahead of the christening. Pic: Yui Mok/PA Wire/Press Association Images

The couple – known to want a relatively normal upbringing for the young prince despite the world’s interest – also eschewed tradition by choosing the Chapel Royal rather than Buckingham Palace for the event.

The godparents include Zara Phillips, the daughter of William’s aunt Princess Anne and wife of rugby player Mike Tindall, and William’s childhood friends William van Cutsem and Earl Hugh Grosvenor; Julia Samuel, who was close to William’s his 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.

Despite speculation Prince Harry and Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton were not named as godparents.

A handful of royal fans camped overnight outside the palace hoping for a glimpse.

In the House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron urged lawmakers to “join me in celebrating” the event.

Holy water from the River Jordan

image

Pic: John Stillwell/PA Wire

The christening will be held in private, a sharp contrast to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s lavish 2011 wedding, which was broadcast live on televisions across the world.

It is a sign of how closely they guard the privacy of the prince, who has not been seen in public since leaving hospital in the glare of hundreds of cameras after his birth on July 22.

An official photograph by celebrity snapper Jason Bell will be released to the public tomorrow.

The queen, 87, will attend with her 92-year-old husband Prince Philip, Charles and his wife Camilla and Prince Harry.

Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton and her siblings James and Pippa Middleton complete the small party.

During the ceremony, Prince George will wear a lace gown and have holy water from the River Jordan poured on his head in what the Archbishop of Canterbury said was a “hugely important moment”.

The religious service will be followed by a tea at Charles’s official London residence, Clarence House, where guests will be served a portion of William and Kate’s wedding cake.

The only other photo of Prince George released to the public so far is a shot with William, Kate and the couple’s dog Lupo which Michael Middleton took in his family’s back garden.

- © AFP, 2013

Read: Kate and William release first official pictures of Prince George>

Author
View 82 comments
Close
82 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ianglen
    Favourite ianglen
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:32 AM

    At this stage , this offer (however well intentioned) is unhelpful to the whole sorry situation.

    386
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Brady
    Favourite Philip Brady
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:52 AM

    @ianglen: well the situation is that the American people voted for him. They are tired of the same old politics mostly sneaky liberal ones, that have bags of snakes and offered them nothing . Who in your opinion has been the best president of the untied states of America?

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leoideate
    Favourite Leoideate
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:25 AM

    @Philip Brady: kennedy

    13
    See 12 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
    Favourite Francis Mc Carthy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:27 AM

    @Philip Brady: as you’re the one that mentioned snakes.Can you tell us what do you make of Trump cutting funding by 22% to the National Health Institute and then making this “generous” offer?

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
    Favourite Francis Mc Carthy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:28 AM

    *wants to cut funding next year by 22%

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Brady
    Favourite Philip Brady
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:45 AM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: sorry Francis after our last encounter I won’t be engaging with you.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
    Favourite Francis Mc Carthy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:54 AM

    @Philip Brady: you just made my day and I will tell you why ..I just love it when a person puts up a ridiculous post that has absolutely got nothing to do with the article, & then comes back crying like a baby when a person asks them a simple question,that is about the article :-) You are so adorable :-)

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenny Hyslop
    Favourite Kenny Hyslop
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:19 AM

    @Philip Brady: What exactly do you think this article is about you moron?

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rowe
    Favourite Rowe
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 2:25 PM

    @Peedur Dante:

    Hi Francis :)

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rowe
    Favourite Rowe
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 2:26 PM

    @Francis Mc Carthy:

    Hi Peeeeedur:)

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 2:29 PM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: seen this one yet? Americans Say Civility Has Worsened Under Trump; Trust In Institutions Down http://n.pr/2us1PJx

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
    Favourite Francis Mc Carthy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 5:20 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: First time seeing that Dave.Had a little chuckle at the tiny amount of Republicans who trust the media..

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
    Favourite Francis Mc Carthy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 5:23 PM

    @Rowe: You still smarting from the fact that I threw at you regards Kate’s Law.Move on,let go,and get over it lad :-)

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leroy
    Favourite Leroy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 5:54 PM

    @Leoideate: Who mostly employed conservative policies…kennedy in 2017 would most definitely be a republican

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Williams
    Favourite Charles Williams
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:15 PM

    @ianglen: Sadly, both the child and Trump have severe brain damage.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:22 AM

    Wow probably first time I had respect for the man.

    178
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Annie Citric
    Favourite Annie Citric
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:25 AM

    @B9xiRspG: Like he didn’t have an alternative agenda. Upcoming U.K. visit perhaps?

    213
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny
    Favourite Jonny
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:31 AM

    @Annie Citric: It’s always about the agenda with you goons..

    161
    See 14 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dublin Rover
    Favourite Dublin Rover
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:33 AM

    @Jonny: That’s because it’s always about an agenda with him. He isn’t beneath using this awful situation for his own gain, he will win at any cost as his record shows.

    99
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Dunes Of Inchy
    Favourite The Dunes Of Inchy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:43 AM

    The 22 million people that are about to lose their healthcare,will no doubt be “thrilled” to hear of this “wonderful” gesture of his..

    147
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:07 AM

    @B9xiRspG: I wonder how many children die needlessly in his own country because of unaffordable healthcare.

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen
    Favourite Stephen
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:09 AM

    @Annie Citric: does it really matter if he has an agenda if the end result is the child gets the medical care that might save him?

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:14 AM

    @Stephen: The UK has some of the best children’s hospitals in the world. Do you think that all that could have been done hasn’t been done already?

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DaisyChainsaw
    Favourite DaisyChainsaw
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:23 AM

    @Stephen: Nothing is going to save that poor baby. I understand where the parents are coming from, but there comes a point when you just have to let him go with love.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EvieXVI
    Favourite EvieXVI
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:14 AM

    @Stephen: this baby can’t be saved – and Trump knows it. So yea it does matter – he’s using a tragedy to gain political points. That’s just wrong.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tk0CXKzL
    Favourite tk0CXKzL
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:49 AM

    @B9xiRspG: dont be fooled. he’s doing it for his own gain no doubt.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Thinker
    Favourite The Thinker
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:18 AM

    @B9xiRspG: @come on. It’s not because of a kind heart that he’s doing it.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 12:02 PM

    I really don’t care if he’s only doing it to sway public opinion if he actually does something

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EvieXVI
    Favourite EvieXVI
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 1:22 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Afraid even the mighty Trump isn’t a miracle worker.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 2:20 PM

    @EvieXVI: I don’t know, he did manage to win an election

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EvieXVI
    Favourite EvieXVI
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 3:39 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Touché!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Annie Citric
    Favourite Annie Citric
    Report
    Jul 5th 2017, 8:04 AM

    @Stephen: I would not want to see this child denied, no. But cherry picking is not helpful to other UK families in need nor, as many others have said, the millions of those being denied health care in the US. My question is this: why now?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mandy Seiler
    Favourite Mandy Seiler
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:46 AM

    Genuine question. Can some explain why this is a matter of the courts? Don’t they usually step in if parents refuse treatment? Although, i seem to recall a similar case a few years back when parents took their son to Spain for treatment. Still, the go-fund me has raised a good bit of money, it seems, the parents and doctors are willing to try. So what is the issue?

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Bob
    Favourite The Bob
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:58 AM

    @Mandy Seiler: If the child’s medical team disagree with the parents’ decision about what is the best course of action for a child they can go ask the courts to make a decision. Most of the time you hear about it is when the parents are refusing treatment that the medical team thinks is essential but in this case it was them thinking that the treatment and travel would harm the child with no chance of actually benefiting.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Whelan
    Favourite Liam Whelan
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:31 AM

    @Mandy Seiler: the doctors aren’t willing to try anymore. That’s the problem.

    36
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jeanniejampots
    Favourite Jeanniejampots
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 2:04 PM

    @Liam Whelan: or the doctors feel that the proposed treatment and prolonging his life, such as it is, is cruel and unnecessary torture for the little fella. Doctors in Great Ormond St try to save lives everyday. For them to go this far means that they truely believe any further treatment is not in his best interests.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute
    Favourite
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:58 AM

    I would do anything for child adult but life is only worth it if you can live it. I worked in a care home people spending years living on tubes vents etc what life is that these were people of all ages who had been involved in accidents. Pumped up with pain killers. As sad as is modern medicine should not keep this poor child alive nature took him along time ago. Let him rest.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dáithí Ó Raghallaigh
    Favourite Dáithí Ó Raghallaigh
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:55 AM

    The media in America will go to town on this story, considering he is likely to place health care in America beyond the reach of millions

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:02 AM

    @Dáithí Ó Raghallaigh: take it out of their hands first and then put it out if reach

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Todd Hebert
    Favourite Todd Hebert
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:53 AM

    Dump is just using this poor baby and his family to garner sympathy. He doesn’t actual give a damn about people who can’t afford their own care in cases like this, as proven by policies and attempted legislations on his part.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute shay o'brien
    Favourite shay o'brien
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:11 AM

    The media would have hidden this good deed also if not for his twitter.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EvieXVI
    Favourite EvieXVI
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:32 AM

    @shay o’brien: there is no good deed!! He has done nothing and can do nothing! It’s a twisted publicity stunt that is just giving false hope to a desperate couple.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carmel Donaldson
    Favourite Carmel Donaldson
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 1:08 PM

    Would he make this offer to a baby from a Muslim family?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al O'Saurus
    Favourite Al O'Saurus
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:28 AM

    Have to say – where are all the Trump haters now? Back to the woodwork with you.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DaisyChainsaw
    Favourite DaisyChainsaw
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:42 AM

    Where is Trumplethinskin’s concern for the millions of American babies and children who’ll suffer under his zeal to take their affordable health care?

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:46 AM

    @Al O’Saurus: However well intentioned this is another just another Trump tweet that he has put little thought into.

    56
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clíodhna Ztoical
    Favourite Clíodhna Ztoical
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:32 AM

    @Al O’Saurus: it’s a meaningless tweet and all he’s done is fan the flames of ignorance. Twitter is nothing but stupid people condemning the NHS and talking about ‘death panels’ with zero information about this case. There is no saving Charlie, he has incurable condition and his doctors state he is in pain and should not be made to suffer any more. I’m sorry for the parents, no one wants to see their child suffer but they are prolonging their childs suffering for them not him. The treatment the parents are taking about isn’t for the condition he has and the doctor who runs it has stated he doubts it will make any difference. Under an American health insurance system the plug would have been pulled along time ago or the parents would be bankrupting themselves to cover just basic treatment never mind experimental treatments.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tip Top
    Favourite Tip Top
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:52 AM

    @Clíodhna Ztoical: Comment of the day, well said.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 4:26 PM

    @Clíodhna Ztoical: Well said. I don’t expect the parents to accept it, but they have done everything they could for their sick child, and no one could or can do more now.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Byrne
    Favourite Liam Byrne
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:28 AM

    Irresponsible arsehole to make such an offer. To give hope where there is none will only cause further pain.

    126
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Void bringer
    Favourite Void bringer
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 10:45 AM

    @Liam Byrne: Well why don’t you say that to the parent’s, who hold for hope for their baby everyday?

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 1:47 PM

    @Void bringer: it’s false hope and that’s not fair on them

    22
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Void bringer
    Favourite Void bringer
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 2:35 PM

    @Suzie Sunshine: The whole thing hasn’t been fair on them or Charlie.

    As a parent I can understand they will fight every breath to see their child live.
    As for this ‘experimental treatment’…I dunno who knows.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Hogan
    Favourite Dave Hogan
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 9:10 AM

    Way to go donald next stop the yemen.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Sims
    Favourite Catherine Sims
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:29 AM

    Apparently in a post the family are saying there is no evidence the child is not brain damaged and this wasn’t submitted at the court cases. Perhaps this is being reviewed now ?? They don’t say anything more substantive than that.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Sims
    Favourite Catherine Sims
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 8:29 AM

    @Catherine Sims: sorry new evidence that should have said .

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Giovanni Casermaggio
    Favourite Giovanni Casermaggio
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:11 AM

    He surprised me…

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Caulfield
    Favourite Joe Caulfield
    Report
    Jul 4th 2017, 11:39 AM

    Welcome to 1984. Death by soulless beurocracy.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee Mann
    Favourite Dee Mann
    Report
    Jul 6th 2017, 9:42 AM

    Fair play to TRUMP he’s damn if he does and damn if he doesn’t, he can’t win it came from a good place, there is a lot worst leaders out there then him, give him a break for some it’s so easy to hate him……… you would wonder were their minds are at

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds