The newest member of the royal family is set to be christened next month and will wear something very special for the occasion.
Like his siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis will wear a gown that nods to over 170 years of royal tradition.
The gown is an exact replica of the one worn first worn by Princess Victoria, Queen Victoria’s daughter, when she was christened in 1841.
That gown was worn by 62 royal babies, including Prince William, for their christenings but was retired in 2004 as it had become too delicate for wear.
Louis will be baptised with water from the River Jordan using the Lily Font, a bowl that was also used at Princess Victoria’s christening.
The christening is happening on 9 July, Kensington Palace announced in a tweet earlier this week.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce that the christening of Prince Louis will take place on Monday 9th July at The Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London.”
The baby will be christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
Louis won’t have been the only royal the Archbishop christened this year – he also baptised the now Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle in before she married Prince Harry.
The occasion will be the first time the public gets a real-time glimpse at the baby since he left St Mary’s Hospital after his birth – but we probably won’t see too much of him.
He’s been mostly kept out of the spotlight, except for some photos of him with siblings George and Charlotte that the palace released last month.
According to royal expert James Brookes, the Duke and Duchess will very much be keeping Louis under wraps on the day, only offering a “compromise” to photographers dying to get a snap of the prince.
Brookes told Express that the day was most likely going to be very private.
“Judging by the previous christenings, and the importance of the day for the family, Louis’s christening will be a private affair, perhaps no surprise there.
“The Cambridges are well aware of the media spotlight on and interest in their family — we saw that with the recent photos of Prince George and Princess Charlotte playing at the polo match.”
