Four generations of royals join baby George’s big day out

The royal baby looked pink-cheeked, chubby and peaceful as he emerged from the historic Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in the arms of his mother the Duchess of Cambridge, who beamed with delight.

It had clearly been a joyful family occasion for the royals and Kate’s family, the Middletons.

George arrived for his christening in the arms of his father, the Duke of Cambridge, and gurgled happily when his great grandparents The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived for the short service.

The three-month-old, who will one day be king, made only his second appearance in public for the christening.

His only previous public outing was when William and Kate left the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in central London the day after he was born on July 22.

On that occasion, they proudly showed him off to the world’s media and could not contain their joy as he slept peacefully.

Since then his father has revealed that George has a good pair of lungs but he appeared to be on his best behaviour today for his first official engagement.

His private christening, like his birth, has attracted interest from across the globe.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, greeted both families at the chapel in central London.

When the Queen’s car arrived, nearby doors in the palace opened and young George could be heard gurgling.

His grandfather Charles and stepmother Camilla walked forward to meet the Queen, who was already being greeted by the Archbishop and the Bishop of London Richard Chartres.

The doting grandfather was followed by William and Kate, with the duke holding his son in front of him and jiggling him up and down as he walked.

He was joined by his brother Harry, who greeted his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh as William told everyone: “He’s all ready”, adding: “So far so good.”

George, who stared curiously at his relatives as they chatted, was wearing a replica of a christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter in 1841, which almost touched the ground.

The royal party spoke for a few more minutes and Kate walked over to greet Philip, kissing him on both cheeks before curtseying.

Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton both gave readings at the christening.

Prince George will have seven godparents, including Zara Phillips and six of his parents’ close friends.

William and Kate chose two hymns, two lessons and two anthems for the service, Kensington Palace revealed.

The first lesson, from the Gospel of St Luke, Ch 18, verses 15-17, was read by Miss Middleton, who was Kate’s maid of honour at the couple’s wedding.

The second, from St John’s gospel, chapter 15, verses 1-5, was read by Prince Harry.

The two hymns at the service were Breathe on Me, Breath of God and Be Thou My Vision.

Two anthems were also performed at the service, including Blessed Jesu! Here we Stand, by Richard Popplewell, which was written for William’s own baptism on August 4 1982.

The second was John Rutter’s well-known anthem The Lord Bless You and Keep You.

Both were performed by The Choir of Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, which performed at the royal couple’s wedding as well as at the Golden and Diamond Jubilee Services at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The choir was made up of six Gentlemen-in-Ordinary, who are professional singers, and 10 Children of the Chapel Royal, boy choristers who hold the Sovereign’s choral scholarships at the City of London School.

They wore Gold and Scarlet State Coats, still tailored to the Royal Warrant of 1661.

The Chapel Royal choir sings each Sunday at the Chapel Royal, or the Queen’s Chapel at St James’s Palace, as well as at other events including the annual Royal Maundy service, the Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The Archbishop of Canterbury was supported by The Dean of The Chapel Royal (The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Richard Chartres) and The Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal (The Reverend Prebendary William Scott).

Earlier, the Queen was received with a Royal Salute from the St James’s Palace detachment of The Queen’s Guard as she arrived in Colour Court.

Kate looked relaxed before the service began and wore a cream Alexander McQueen outfit and a matching hat by milliner Jane Taylor.

Earlier her family - parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa and James - arrived as a group.

They were warmly greeted by the Bishop of London and Archbishop before taking their seats in the chapel.

The godparents arrived together - William van Cutsem and wife Rosie, Oliver Baker and wife Melissa, Emilia Jardine-Paterson and husband David, and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and wife Susannah at the front.

Julia Samuel was joined by husband Michael and the Duke of Westminster’s son Hugh Grosvenor came alone, with Zara and Mike Tindall bringing up the rear.

The christening service lasted around 35 minutes and when it came to an end Philip and the Queen were the first to leave, with the monarch clutching a copy of the order of service.

The Archbishop and the Bishop of London were waiting on the steps and were thanked by the family and friends of the royal couple as the guests left.

Charles and Camilla were behind the monarch and the heir to the throne followed the Queen into nearby St James’s Palace which is connected to Clarence House where the proud grandfather and his wife were hosting a private tea.

Kate and William left the chapel together with the duchess holding her son who was wide eyed and clasped his hands together.

Dr Chartres looked at George’s tiny hands and joked with his parents, saying he was holding them in a “very commanding” manner.

One extra guest was William’s former nanny Jessie Webb who left the chapel chatting to George’s grandfather Michael Middleton.

Ms Webb has been helping the Cambridges with child care duties on an ad hoc basis and attended the christening in her role as nanny.

For the christening the Queen wore a sky blue cashmere coat with mother of pearl buttons and a paisley printed silk dress, in moss green and dove grey, by Stewart Parvin.

Her matching blue cashmere hat was by Angela Kelly.

Her outfit featured a gift from her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother, that marked the birth of Charles in 1948 - a brooch of rubies, diamonds and sapphires, taking the form of a basket of flowers.

Camilla was dressed in a cream Georgette dress and matching coat, both by Fiona Clare and a hat by milliner Philip Treacy.

The remaining guests all made the short walk to Clarence House where they were served slices of christening cake - taken from a tier of the Cambridges’ wedding cake.

Lambeth House later released highlights of the address given by Mr Welby during the baptism of the baby prince.

The Archbishop said that the parents and godparents of George have a “simple task” to “make sure he knows who this Jesus is.

“Speak of him, read stories about him. Introduce him in prayer. Help him to grow and flourish into the person God has created and has called him to be.”

He told the guests that as a Christian George “is to share the life of Christ which is in him, regardless of whom he meets, their faith or nature or habits, so that others find life.

“That sharing may be in words, or generous actions - most likely both - but it will be both very costly and infinitely rewarding.”

The Archbishop concluded: “For life to be complete, the living and trusted love of Jesus Christ is the foundation.

“That is something we grow into, live out, hold onto, and which finally carries us home.

“With Christ and his love as our centre, all the needs we meet are faced, all the hopes we have are shaped, and all the possibilities of our life journey are fulfilled.”