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Friday, December 15, 2023

Prince Charles of Edinburgh baptized

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Prince Charles of Edinburgh, the first-born child of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh was baptized today in Buckingham Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  The little prince was born on November 14 in Buckingham Palace.

He was given the names Charles Philip Arthur George.  The baptismal service was attended by Charles' grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and several close friends.

The service took place in the White and Gold Music Room.  The prince was dressed in the "royal christening robe of white silk and Honiton lace made for Queen Victoria's children," and he was carried into the room by his nurse, Sister Helen Rowe. 

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The Chapel Royal choir entered the room to Handel's Water Music, and they were followed by the clergy. After the choir sang "Holy, Holy Holy,"  Miss Rowe handed the infant prince to Princess Margaret, who announced his names.  She laid Charles into the Archbishop's arms, who "baptized him in the gold and silver lily font."


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In his homily, Dr. Fisher referred to "the religious importance of the ceremony, and spoke of the solemn duties undertaken by the sponsors."

The service ended with the choir singing "Worship the King." 

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Prince Charles has eight sponsors:  the King and Queen, Princess Margaret, the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven, Lady Brabourne, the Hon. David Bowes-Lyon, King Haakon VII of Norway and Prince George of the Hellenes.   The Earl of Athlone stood proxy for King Haakon and the Duke of Edinburgh for Prince George.

The other guests at the ceremony were the Princess Royal, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duchess of Kent, Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone,  Admiral Sir Alexander Ramsay and Lady Patricia Ramsay, Princess Marie Louise, the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven, Lord and Lady Brabourne, Lt. Colonel and Mrs, Michael Bowes-Lyon, the Hon. David and Mrs. Bowes-Lyon, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Elphinstone and Miss Elizabeth and Miss Margaret Elphinstone.

The Duke of Edinburgh's mother, Princess Alice, is in Greece.

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 After the service, the royal family and their guests went into the White Drawing Room where  "one of three christening cakes was cut," according to The Times.

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