The royal christening tradition Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis missed out on

(Image credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

published 23 October 2022

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis missed out on a very special royal christening tradition that their father Prince William and cousin Lady Louise Windsor both experienced.

During Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis' christenings, the trio took part in many of the usual royal traditions, but there was one special item noticeably missing from all three
None of the Wales' children wore the royal christening dress, which had been worn by many royals before them, including their father, Prince William, and cousin Lady Louise Windsor
In other royal news, an expert has revealed how Princess Charlotte is modernising the idea of being a ‘spare to support the heir’

Christenings are an important affair for the royal family, dictated by long-lasting traditions and sentimental symbols. But Kate Middleton and Prince William's three children, Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, missed out on one very special royal experience during their services.

It all began with Prince George, the first child of the now Prince and Princess of Wales. George's christening took place at the historic Chapel Royal at St James's Palace, a venue that has been used for several royal christenings over the years as well as the wedding ceremony for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840.

Kate Middleton, prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

Many of the usual royal traditions were adhered to throughout the celebrations. He was christened in the Lily Font, which was designed on the orders of Victoria and Albert for the christening of their first child and has since been used for every following royal christening, and water from the River Jordan was also used to baptise the child as royal tradition dictates should be done.

However, there was one traditional item missing from the ceremony - the royal christening gown.

Crafted for Princess Victoria in 1841, the gown was used for hundreds of royal christenings including King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, Prince William and even Lady Louise Windsor!

Prince William, kate Middleton and Prince George

Due to its age and delicate Honiton lace, the christening gown was deemed too delicate to use again after the christening of the Queen's granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor in 2004.

Instead, dressmaker Angela Kelly crafted a replica of the gown which was first worn at the christening of the Queen's eighth grandchild, James, Viscount Severn, in 2007, and has since been worn by all of the Wales' children.

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Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is a news writer for Goodtoknow, specialising in family content. She began her freelance journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with BBC Good Food and The Independent.