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When was Prince Louis’ christening, where was the ceremony held and who were the guests?
PRINCE Louis' christening was the first time everyone saw the young royal in weeks, and it was a very special occasion.
Here's all we know about what happened on Prince Louis' christening on July 9.
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When was Prince Louis' christening?
Traditionally, a royal baby is christened two to three months after their birth - and this was also the case for Prince Louis.
Last month, it was announced he will be christened on Monday, July 9.
He was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby at 4pm.
Prince George, who was born on July 22, 2013, was christened three months and a day later - on October 23.
While his little sister Princess Charlotte, who was born on May 2, 2015, was baptised two months and three days later - on July 5.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's youngest was born on St George's Day, April 23, at 11.01am.
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Where will the royal baby's christening be held?
The venue was The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, in London, which is where his brother George was christened back in 2013.
The Archbishop of Canterbury baptised the young prince, who was Kate and William's first-born, making him the direct descendant to the throne.
Princess Charlotte was christened at the church of St Mary Magdalene, near the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk in 2015.
It's where the royals visit on Christmas Day every year and where Princess Diana was christened too.
The location also means Prince Louis and Meghan Markle will share an unlikely connection.
Prior to her wedding to Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex was baptised and confirmed into the Church of England in a secret ceremony at The Chapel Royal.
Kensington Palace later confirmed the 45-minute ceremony had taken place, which was also presided over by the Archbishop.
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Who attended the royal baby's christening?
Both George and Charlotte had small, intimate christenings - with 22 and 30 guests respectively.
Although the location of Charlotte's ceremony lent itself to crowds gathering outside, like they do at Christmas every year.
The Queen and Prince Philip did not attend the christening of Prince Louis at St James's Palace.
They will miss their great-grandson's big day as they were instead travelling back from Norfolk.
Buckingham Palace stated that their missing of the event was not due to ill health, and was decided ";some time ago".
In April, Her Majesty was due to attend the 200th anniversary of the Order of St Michael and St George, at St Paul’s Cathedral but was forced to withdraw.
It was confirmed she would be absent as she was feeling “under the weather”.
Grandparents Prince Charles and Camilla attended along with Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle.
On the Middleton side, Kate's sister Pippa Matthews attended along with her husband James, brother James and parents Carole and Michael.
The new godparents and their spouses were also there.
These are Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly and Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, as well as Lady Laura Meade, Mrs Robert Carter, otherwise known as Hannah Gillingham, and Kate's cousin Lucy Middleton.
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Speculation before the ceremony saw Catriona "Trini" Foyle, Kate's bestie from Marlborough who made Kate godmother to her eldest Alexander, tipped to be named as godmother.
Other suggestions included Princess Beatrice, Miguel Head, Prince William’s private secretary who is leaving at the end of the month, and Tiggy Legge-Bourke.
She was Prince Charles’ assistant and a nanny to the princes following the death of Diana.
Prince William is also said to be the godfather to her son, Tom.
Also in the running was Laura Lopes, daughter of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Rebecca Priestly, a former private secretary to Kate Middleton.
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What wasPrince Louis be baptised with?
The Lily Font and water from the River Jordan was used during the baptism.
The Lily Font is a large silver-gilt font that has been used to baptise members of the Royal Family for the past 178 years.
The priceless artefact was designed by Prince Albert back in 1840 and is a gold coloured, silver leaf font which features multiple cherubs playing harps.
Originally costing £189 when it was first created, the lavish font is now estimated to be worth around £11,000 in modern currency.
As part of the Queen's precious Crown Jewels, the Lily Font is kept in the Tower of London's Jewel House when it is not in use.
Until Princess Charlotte's christening in St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham 2015, the Lily Font had never left London..
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And the font is special in other ways, as it contains water flown in from the River Jordan.
The water is taken to the UK especially for the christenings, and it’s likely Meghan was also baptised using this water.
Even dating back to its inaugural use, for the baptism of Queen Victoria and Albert’s first child, Princess Victoria, water from the River Jordan was used.
Prince William and Kate Middleton show off their new baby boy on steps of Lindo Wing before leaving hospital
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