Prince Louis christening: Kate arrives holding sleeping baby son in her arms as William supervises George and Charlotte

Hatty Collier9 July 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge cradled a sleeping Prince Louis in her arms as they arrived for his christening at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, today.

Kate arrived holding her new baby son in her arms, while William looked after Prince George, four, and a three-year-old Princess Charlotte.

The Archbishop of Canterbury welcomed the couple and their children as they arrived at the entrance to the chapel.

As Kate chatted to the archbishop while holding 11-week-old Louis, she could be heard describing her sleeping son as "very relaxed and peaceful".

Prince Louis Christening - In pictures

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The duchess added, with a smile: "I hope he stays like this". Louis was dressed in the cream lace royal christening robe.

William was holding both George and Charlotte's hands and the archbishop bent down to greet the two youngsters in turn.

The royal party were led in by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Following them were the Cambridges, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were the final royals to be welcomed by the archbishop.

The Queen and Prince Philip were not attending the christening on Monday following a decision agreed by the Queen and the Cambridges some time ago. The decision is understood not to have been taken on health grounds.

Princess Charlotte and Prince George hold the hands of their father, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as they arrive at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace
Getty Images

Meghan was stylish in a Ralph Lauren outfit and Stephen Jones hat.

Kate was in McQueen and a hat by Jane Taylor.

Princess Charlotte leaves after the christening service of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace
AP

Louis’s six godparents were announced as: Nicholas van Cutsem; Guy Pelly; Harry Aubrey-Fletcher; The Lady Laura Meade; Mrs Robert Carter; and the Duchess of Cambridge’s cousin Miss Lucy Middleton.

Mr Pelly, who for many years ran a string of nightclubs popular among the Chelsea crowd, was dubbed William and Harry's "court jester" for his wild ways and helped organise William's stag do.

Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex leave after the christening service of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace
AP

He dressed up as the Queen and imitated her voice in 2005 when Harry was infamously photographed wearing Nazi paraphernalia at a fancy-dress party.

The former Stowe public schoolboy is said to have met the royal brothers through the Beaufort Hunt and married Holiday Inn heiress Lizzy Wilson in 2014.

The christening was a small affair for immediate family, the godparents and their spouses.

The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as she arrives carrying Prince Louis for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace
PA

Louis' maternal grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton were also guests along with Kate's brother James Middleton, and Kate's pregnant sister Pippa with husband James Matthews - the brother of former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose two hymns, two lessons and two anthems for the service.

Pippa Middleton arrives for the christening service of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London
AP

The hymns are O Jesus, I Have Promised and Lord Of All Hopefulness.

One of the anthems is This Is The Day Which The Lord Hath Made, which was composed for William and Kate's wedding.

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