See the Royal family gather at Louis' christening in London
Prince Louis.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after Prince Louis's christening at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart after attending the christening of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Pippa Middleton arriving for the christening of Prince Louis, the youngest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
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, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews arriving for the christening of Prince Louis, the youngest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
The Duchess of Cambridge carries Prince Louis as they arrive for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart after attendingthe christening of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte after the christening of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Prince George, the Duke of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte depart after attendingthe christening of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart after attendingthe christening of Prince Louis at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Camilla and Charles arrive.
Prince Louis, the third child of Britain's Prince William and wife Kate, has been christened at a small, private ceremony overseen by close family but without his great-grandmother the Queen present.
Louis, the fifth in line to the British throne who was born on April 23, was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury at The Chapel Royal of St James's Palace in central London.
However, the 92-year-old Queen and her husband Prince Philip were not among the guests. A royal source said it had been agreed some time ago that the Queen would not attend and her absence was not due to any health issues.
Elizabeth, the world's oldest and longest-reigning living monarch, missed a special service last month because she was feeling "under the weather" but has carried out a number of public engagements since then.
READ ALSO
The monarch was due to return to London on Monday before a busy schedule of events including a meeting with US President Donald Trump on Friday at her Windsor Castle home.
Louis was carried into the chapel by his beaming mother, wearing the handmade replica of the royal christening robe, which in 2008 replaced the original that had been worn for all royal christenings since that of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1841.
Kate, dressed in an ivory dress and matching hat, and William were joined by William's father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, along with younger brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who was dressed in olive green Ralph Lauren.
William and Harry wore matching blue suits.
WANT TO READ YOUR HOROSCOPES? Check them out here.
Also attending were Kate's parents, her brother and sister and Louis' six godparents, who are close friends or relatives of William and Kate.
They include Kate's cousin Lucy Middleton, Nicholas van Cutsem, whose daughter was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Harry and Meghan in May, and Guy Pelly, a childhood friend of William's.
"I'm delighted and privileged to be christening Prince Louis today - a precious child made in God's image, just as we all are," Archbishop Justin Welby said on Twitter before the ceremony. "Please join me in praying for him and his family on this special day."
The young prince, who has an older brother George, 4, and sister Charlotte, 3, was baptised using water from the River Jordan.
Australian Associated Press