York Princess christened

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May 29, 1926

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, was baptized today "in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace."  According to the New York Times, she is the first "royal baby to be christened in the chapel."

The ceremony was not very long.  The infant princess' grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary and the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, were present for the ceremony. Other royal guests included the Prince of Wales,  Princess Mary, the Duke of Connaught and Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught.

The Duke and Duchess of York arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly before noon to have lunch with the King and Queen.  Princess Elizabeth, the "fourth lady of the land, " was brought to Palace in the early afternoon by her nurse.  She was placed in a cradle, "kept at the palace for visiting infants," and "slept peacefully" before the ceremony.

The baptismal ceremony began with the arrival of the organist and the choir boys, "dress in crimson and gold robes, from St. James's Palace."

The princess was held by her nurse during the first part of the ceremony, but when it came time to name her, Queen Mary "took the baby and handed her to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Archbishop "made the sign of the cross on her forehead" with water from the River Jordan.  "In token that hereafter she shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified."

The hymn, "Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens, Adore Him," was selected by the Duchess of York.

After the ceremony was finished, the register was signed by the King and Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke Connaught, and the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.

Princess Elizabeth was "dressed in a robe of old lace several feet long," which was first worn in 1840 when Princess Victoria, eldest child of Queen Victoria, was baptized.