They’ll still be the best, wildest aunt and uncle ever! Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton were not among the seven men and women selected to be godparents to baby Prince George Alexander Louis, whose christening is hours away at St. James Palace in London on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Kensington Palace released a short list of expected guests at the royal christening and unveiled the 3-month-old’s godparents, selected by parents Prince William and Kate Middleton.
While William’s brother Harry, 29, and the Duchess’ scene stealing sister Pippa, 30, didn’t make the cut, several familiar names are on the list. Zara Phillips (i.e. Mrs. Michael Tindall), William’s first cousin, daughter of Princess Royal Anne and 15th in line to the throne, is the one royal relative among George’s godparents. Other recognizable names include William van Cutsem, a childhood friend of William, whose family has long had royal ties, and whose niece, Grace van Cutsem, nearly stole the show at the royal wedding back in April 2011; and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who served as Private Secretary to the Duke, Duchess and Prince Harry from 2005 to 2012.
Oliver Baker, who attended the University of St. Andrews with Kate and William, is also a godparent, as is Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Kate’s pal from Marlborough College. Earl (a.k.a. Hugh) Grosvenor, son of the the Duke of Westminster, was also given the honor. Finally, in a bittersweet nod to Prince George’s late paternal grandmother, Julia Samuel, a close friend of Princess Diana, is the seventh godparent.
In total, only 22 people will be present for Wednesday’s Christening. The godparents and their spouses will be joined by guests Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, Prince Harry, Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton, and siblings Pippa and James.
For the event, George will don a hand-made replica of the royal christening robe made by the Queen’s dressmaker, Angela Kelly. During the baptism, George will be held in the Lily Font in water from the River Jordan.
