PRINCE GEORGE CHRISTENED AT ROYAL CHAPEL

The first photos of baby Prince George dressed in his christening robe have emerged.

The infant, expected to grow up to become king of England, flashed his chubby cheeks outside St. James's Palace Wednesday as the family arrived for the intimate ceremony in a location that's rich with significance to the British royals.

The service was noted as much for its short guest list as it was for satiating widespread interest in the prince, who hasn’t appeared in public since his parents showed him off outside a London hospital the day after his July 22 birth.

The historic Chapel Royal is where the baby’s beloved grandmother, Princess Diana, lay in wake before her burial in 1997.

Prince George was christened over a silver gilt font by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who splashed water on the baby's head three times and marked his forehead with the sign of the cross.

The baby wore a long, lacy christening gown also worn by his father at his own baptism. The gown is a replica of the one first worn by Queen Victoria’s daughter and then passed down through the generations. The original 19th-century gown was replaced after being deemed too fragile for continued use.


The christening ceremony marks a significant gathering for the monarchy. The occasion brought together four generations of royals for a family photograph that included Queen Elizabeth II and the two other heirs to the British throne, Prince William and Prince Charles.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose celebrity photographer Jason Bell to chronicle the event. Family portraits from the ceremony will be released to the public tomorrow.