Photo: Rex USA.
Welcome to our coverage of Prince George and his official dunking in holy water! His parents, the duke and duchess of Cambridge, have said today's ceremony in London for the 3-month-old, who is third in line for the throne, will be an understated affair. But, William and Kate have tried to break with tradition and update the staid service. They've even invited a celebrity photographer, Jason Bell, to serve as the official shutterbug for the occasion. What's next — a dubstep soundtrack?
If you want to cut straight to the baptismal action, check out the livestream below. Unfortunately, there won't be much of an inside look, as the family will keep the ceremony itself behind closed doors. You will, however, be able to watch all of the royal fan boys and fan girls screaming poor George's name before his official portrait is released.
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Want to know even more about monarchy's precious, though perhaps old-fashioned, traditions? Read on below the stream.
Most royals, including Prince William in 1982, have been christened in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace, but the duke and duchess have opted to hold the ceremony in the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace. Fun fact about the Chapel Royal: "Bloody" Mary I's heart and bowels are buried there.
As for George's lacy duds? The christening gown, made of Honiton lace and white satin, has been worn by 60 royal babies since 1841. In 2004, however, the Queen decided that it was too fragile to be used anymore. George gets a replica gown designed by the queen's dressmaker, Angela Kelly.
In keeping with tradition, though, the Cambridge couple has kept the guest list small, at around 60 attendees. George will have more godparents than the average royal, however: Prince William's cousin Zara Tindall; Oliver Baker, a friend of the couple from St. Andrew's University; Emilia Jardine-Paterson, a school friend of Kate's; William van Cutsem, a childhood friend of William; Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, a former private secretary to the duke and duchess and Prince Harry; Julia Samuel, a good friend to Princess Diana; and Earl Grosvenor, son of the duke of Westminster.
Baby George will also get his ceremonial dipping in the traditional Lily Font, an ornate silver basin that's filled with water from the River Jordan and is normally kept alongside the crown jewels in the Tower of London. Well, aren't we fancy?
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, will perform the service. He will attempt to not drop the royal babe on his head in the font, as an elderly patriarch did to Prince Peter of Yugoslavia during his christening in 1923. Godspeed!