Why Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Are Not Attending Prince Louis's Christening
Kensington Palace just shared the guest list for Prince Louis's christening later today, and two names are rather conspicuously missing from it. Neither the Queen nor Prince Philip will attend the ceremony this afternoon at the Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace.
Most royal watchers had expected to see the monarch and her husband at today's event, but according to the Press Association, "The decision was not made on health grounds, Buckingham Palace says, and it is understood to have been mutually agreed by the Queen and the Cambridges some time ago."
#Breaking Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are to miss Prince Louis of Cambridge’s christening. The decision was not made on health grounds, Buckingham Palace says, and it is understood to have been mutually agreed by the Queen and the Cambridges some time ago pic.twitter.com/H0MM8QQDae
- Press Association (@PA) July 9, 2018
Royal correspondent Richard Palmer also reports that "the Cambridges are 'relaxed' about it."
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are not attending Prince Louis’s christening this afternoon. I understand that was mutually agreed some time ago and the Cambridges are “relaxed” about it.
- Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) July 9, 2018
Their absence is likely due to the Queen's incredibly busy schedule. This week, the 92-year-old will attend a celebration of the RAF centenary on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and will host a meeting with President Trump at Windsor Castle on Friday. Prince Philip, who retired in August of 2017, has also been keeping a pared down calendar in recent months.
While the royal baby's great-grandparents won't be in attendance, he will still be surrounded by family and friends on this special day. Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall will both be there, as will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. From Kate's side, her parents Michael and Carole Middleton are on the guest list, and so will her brother James, her sister Pippa, and Pippa's husband James Matthews.
Louis's newly named godparents and their spouses will also be on-hand to celebrate the occasion. That list includes members of William and Kate's inner social circle like Mr. Nicholas van Cutsem and Mr. Guy Pelly as well as Kate's cousin Miss Lucy Middleton.
See the full list below:
- Mr. Nicholas van Cutsem
- Mr. Guy Pelly
- Mr. Harry Aubrey-Fletcher
- The Lady Laura Meade
- Mrs. Robert Carter
- Miss Lucy Middleton
Prince Louis's christening is expected to start at 4 p.m. BST or 11 a.m. eastern. There will not be photo or video of the ceremony, but expect to see pictures of the royal family and godparents arriving and leaving, as well as formal portraits later this week.
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