Royal Christenings and Godparents

[chrissy57]

Here is a simple description of an Anglican service.

A British royal christening follows the same procedure except that it is a private service (mine was a private service as well so they don't have to be part of a normal service but frequently are) and the presiding vicar is usually the Dean of Windsor or the Archbishop of Canterbury.


Each of the churches that have infant baptism have a different service (of course!). The Anglican (C of E) service is sometimes called a Christening. It usually takes place during the Sunday service as the child is becoming a member of the church family and so it is important the the family is present. Godparents are chosen by the family to help with the child's spiritual and religious upbringing. At the service the parents and godparents all gather around the font with the vicar. Usually the mother or father hold the baby. The water in the font is blessed by the vicar. The vicar prays for the child giving thanks for this new life. He reminds the parents and the godparents of their own faith and beliefs. The parents are asked to name the child. He repeats the name. He lifts the baby over the font and pours a little water over the baby's head saying "I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". The vicar then takes some holy oil and makes the sign of the cross on the child's forehead saying "I sign you with the cross the sign of Christ" The parents and the Godparents are given a candle to hold and they are asked to confirm their belief in God and their commitment as Christians. The promise to bring the child up in the Christian faith.

[Jose]

Photo on Queen mother great-grandchildren 1980-1999 christening? Queen Mother have many great-grandchildren from 1980-2000 or 2001 on photo? Queen Mother was beloved and love great-grandchildren for near royal family!!!!

[kgreen20]

Thanks for the explanation, Chrissy57! That helps.

[morhange]

Someone mentioned in another thread that Lord Culloden and Albert Windsor were the last two babies christened using the old lace christening gown first used by Queen Victoria's children. However, I can't seem to find any information on when either of them were christened, who the godparents are, etc.

I assume Albert was christened in a Catholic ceremony, so I dont know if that means he wasnt allowed to use the gown or not. Just wondering :)

[morhange]

I thought it was weird, especially with Albert, when Nicholas and Paola were in the spotlight a lot after announcing their engagement, marriage and that they were expecting a baby. Then again, they didn't formally announce his birth either, but I figured we'd hear if the Kents attended a christening. Same with the Gloucesters, for Xan.

[Elspeth]

I don't think the Gloucester christening featured in Majesty or anything. Maybe they're taking their role as non-royals very seriously.

[Duchess]

maybe they're a bit nervous. seems the whole culloden thing is still a sore spot with some people, even after all these years.

Yahoo! Groups

[morhange]

Poor Xan...what a horrible thing to have your title associated with.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by morhange

Poor Xan...what a horrible thing to have your title associated with.

Really, one wonders what the advisers and the king back then thought about using Culloden for a Royal title.

Culloden is not only a symbol for the differences between the English and the Scots but also a symbol for a bitter split that went through the BRF once. Now that the male line Stuarts are extinct anyway it doesn't matter anymore but back then it really was a question of legitimacy.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Jo of Palatine

Really, one wonders what the advisers and the king back then thought about using Culloden for a Royal title.

Culloden is not only a symbol for the differences between the English and the Scots but also a symbol for a bitter split that went through the BRF once. Now that the male line Stuarts are extinct anyway it doesn't matter anymore but back then it really was a question of legitimacy.

When talking about Culloden, it should be remembered that it was also Scot against Scot.

The French were there on the side of the Jacobites and the Highlanders were joined by Lowlanders, Irish and some English. On the government side, Scots, English, Dutch.

Even in the heat of battle the clans were falling out with one another and some chiefs fielded troops on both sides!

However, as with many of the titles handed out, it is frowned upon by some of the Scots.

[lallettac]

It would be beautiful to see some photos of these christenings... Can you post them please?

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by lallettac

It would be beautiful to see some photos of these christenings... Can you post them please?

As these children are not great-grandchildren of a monarch I suspect that we won't be seeing very much of them at all as those closer to the throne are those that live in the pubic eye.

These children will have to get full-time normal jobs and, except for their titles will live completely normal lives with occasions, such as the really big family weddings the only times they might be seen.

Think about how often we see the great-grandchildren of Edward VII or Queen Victoria. These great-grandchildren of George V will be the same - proud of their royal heritage but pleased to have the freedom that comes with being so far fron the centre of the firm.

I personally don't want to see any photos of them so they can have the normal lives they are entitled to and give a huge thumbs up to the parents for making sure this happens, helped by the fact that the tabloiods realise that the pictures of these babies wouldn't sell so they didn't offer to buy them, or if offered them, didn't buy.

[PrincessofEurope]

as far as we are aware there are no public pictures of these evnts

[Royal Fan]

Who are the Wessex Godparents??

[Claire]

Louise was given five godparents: Lady Sarah Chatto, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, Lady Alexandra Etherington, Francesca Schwarzenbach and Rupert Elliott.

James was given five godparents: Alistair Bruce, Duncan Bullivant, Thomas Hill, Mrs Mark Poulton and Jeanye Irwin

[selrahc4]

Originally Posted by Josefine

I would love to see pictures of Andrew and edwards Christening
can someone help me

Prince Edward's christening

[Bella]

Originally Posted by selrahc4

Prince Edward's christening

This is a great photo! And so typical of Prince Andrew: everyone else is looking adoringly at the baby except Andrew ~ he's looking directly at the camera. Me! Me! Me! He was an adorable little chubby-cheeked kid, though.