Author Archives: Susan

Monaco Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

Credit – Wikipedia

The Roman Catholic Monaco Cathedral (also called the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and Saint Nicholas Cathedral) has been the site of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and burials of the Princely Family of Monaco. It was built on the site of the first church in Monaco, built in 1252, which was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. After the first church burned in a fire in 1874, the cathedral was built from 1875–1903 and consecrated in 1911.

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Princess Caroline of Monaco

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Princess Caroline with her mother

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Prince Albert II of Monaco

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Prince Albert with his parents and sister

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Princess Stéphanie of Monaco

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Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Countess of Carladès

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Princess Gabriella and her father

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Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco, Marquis of Baux

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Hereditary Prince Jacques with his mother
  • Unofficial Royalty: Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco, Marquis of Baux
  • Parents: Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, born Charlene Wittstock
  • Born: December 10, 2014, two minutes after his twin sister at The Princess Grace Hospital Centre in Monaco
  • Christened: May 10, 2015, at the Monaco Cathedral (also called the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and Saint Nicholas Cathedral)
  • Names: Jacques Honoré Rainier
  • Godparents:
    • Christopher Le Vine Jr., maternal first cousin of his father
    • Diane de Polignac Nigra, paternal first cousin once removed of his father, the niece of Prince Louis de Polignac who was her father’s godfather

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Luxembourg Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg is Roman Catholic. Having two godparents, a man and a woman, is the usual practice in the Roman Catholic Church.

Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg

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Jean, on the left, with his mother and siblings

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Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

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Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

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Henri and his father

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Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg

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Guillaume and his father

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Prince Félix of Luxembourg

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Félix, second from the left, with his father and his brothers Guillaume and Louis

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Prince Louis of Luxembourg

Louis and his mother; Credit – Grand Ducal Court/Private Collection

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Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg

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Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg

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Sébastien with his siblings

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Prince Charles of Luxembourg

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Charles with his parents

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Dutch Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2021

The Dutch royal family are members of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. It was formed in 2004 by the merger of the Dutch Reformed Church, the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Netherlands. Queen Máxima, the wife of the current monarch King Willem-Alexander, was born in Argentina and was raised as a Roman Catholic. She retained her religion after her marriage but her children were christened as members of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.

Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk; Credit – By Ralf Roletschek (talk) – Fahrradtechnik auf fahrradmonteur.de – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10439163

Originally a Roman Catholic church, the Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk in The Hague, the Netherlands – in English, The Great Church or St. James’ Church – has been the site of quite a number of christenings of the House of Orange in the 17th and 18th centuries and also some recent christenings and weddings. The church was founded in the late 13th century and was probably a wooden church. The present church was built in stages between the 14th and 16th centuries.

Domkerk in Utrecht; Credit – Von Massimo Catarinella – Eigenes Werk, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7702712

Some members of the Dutch royal family were christened at the Domkerk in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The church was originally a Roman Catholic church but since 1580 it has been Protestant. Its tower is the highest church tower in the Netherlands.

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Queen Juliana of the Netherlands

Credit – Wikipedia

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Queen Beatrix (see below)

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Princess Irene of the Netherlands

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Princess Irene, in the carriage, with her sister Princess Beatrix

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Princess Margriet of the Netherlands

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Princess Christina of the Netherlands

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Princess Christina being held by her sister Princess Irene with her godfather Winston Churchill and her mother Queen Juliana

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Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

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Beatrix with her parents

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King Willem-Alexander (see below)

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Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau

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Prince Friso with his parents on his christening day
  • Unofficial Royalty: Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau
  • Parents: Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, born Claus von Amsberg
  • Born: September 25, 1968, at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands
  • Christened: December 28, 1968, at the Domkerk in Utrecht, the Netherlands
  • Names: Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David
  • Godparents:
  • Because of an issue with his fiancée, the decision was made not to request formal consent from the Dutch parliament for the marriage. Because of this, Prince Friso relinquished his rights to the Dutch throne and his title of Prince of the Netherlands. He retained his personal title of Prince of Orange-Nassau.

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Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands

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Prince Constantijn with his mother

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King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

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Willem-Alexander being held by his mother as his father looks on

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Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange

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Amalia being held by her mother as her father looks on

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Princess Alexia of the Netherlands

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Alexia being held by her mother as her father and sister Amalia look on

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Princess Ariane of the Netherlands

Ariane_christening

Ariane’s sisters and cousins at her christening!!! Photo Credit – http://37.media.tumblr.com

Ariane_godparents_family

A more subdued photo of Ariane’s family and her godparents; http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com

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Danish Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Danish Royal Family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark sometimes called The Church of Denmark, the established, state-supported church in Denmark. The sovereign is the supreme secular authority in the church. Most recent Danish royal christenings have been held at the Holmens Kirke or the Fredensborg Palace Chapel.

Holmens Kirke; Credit – Wikipedia

The building that is now occupied by the Holmens Kirke in Copenhagen, Denmark was first used as a forge for anchors. In 1619, King Christian IV had it converted into a church for the naval personnel who were housed in the area. King Frederik IX had a career in the Royal Danish Navy and had a great love for the sea. Perhaps that was the reason his three children were christened at Holmens Kirke. His elder daughter and successor Queen Margrethe was also married there.

Fredensborg Palace; Credit – By Glån – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12668133

Fredensborg Palace is located in Fredensborg on the island of Zealand in Denmark.  Queen Margrethe II uses the palace for three months in the spring and three months in the autumn. It has always been considered a “family home” for the Danish royal family. During the reign of King Christian IX, his extended family gathered at Fredensborg each summer. Christian’s children included Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom, Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia, King George I of Greece and his successor King Frederik VIII of Denmark.  He had 39 grandchildren and his grandsons included Nicholas II, Emperor of All Russia, King Constantine I of Greece, King George V of the United Kingdom, King Christian X of Denmark and King Haakon VII of Norway. Over the years, numerous large family reunions were held at Fredensborg Palace with children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  The current Danish royal family continues the practice and it is a logical site for family christenings.

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Danish royal christening gown

It is interesting to note that among the godparents of Queen Margrethe II, who was born in 1940, is Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, her maternal great-grandfather, the son of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. The Duke of Connaught died in 1942 at the age of 91. His sister Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll also died at the age of 91, making both Arthur and Louise the longest-lived of Queen Victoria’s children.

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King Frederik IX of Denmark

Four generations of Danish Kings: Prince Frederik (IX) standing on the chair surrounded by (left to right) his great-grandfather King Christian IX, his father Prince Christian (X), his grandfather Crown Prince Frederik (VIII); Credit – Wikipedia

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Queen Ingrid of Denmark, born Princess Ingrid of Sweden, wife of King Frederik IX

Ingrid on the right with her family at the christening of her brother Bertil; Credit – Wikipedia

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Queen Margrethe of Denmark

(see below)

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Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg

Princess Benedikte on the left with her sisters Margrethe and Anne-Marie; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, Queen of Greece

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King Christian X of Denmark and Queen Alexandrine who is holding Princess Anne-Marie and their grandchildren. From left, Prince Christian to the left of the queen, Princess Benedikte between the king and queen; in the back Princess Elisabeth, Prince Ingolf and Princess Margrethe

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Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

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Margrethe and her parents

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King Frederik X of Denmark

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Crown Prince Christian of Denmark

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Crown Princess Mary holding her son as his father and godparents, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Princess Mett-Marit of Norway and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, look on

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Princess Isabella of Denmark

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Crown Princess Mary holds her daughter Princess Isabella while Crown Prince Frederik holds their son Prince Christian, with Isabella’s godparents from left: Major Peter Heering, Nadine Johnston, Maria Louise Skeel, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark and Christian Buchwald

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Prince Vincent of Denmark

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Prince Josephine of Denmark

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Prince Joachim of Denmark

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This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Belgian Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Belgian Royal Family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.  Some Belgian christenings, including those of King Albert II and King Philippe, took place at the Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in the Place Royale, a historic square near the center of Brussels, Belgium. Perhaps the Belgian royal family is connected to the church because Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, stood on the church steps when he took the oath that made him Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians on July 21, 1831.

Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg; Credit – By EmDee – Own work, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17166498

The christenings of the children of King Philippe all took place in the chapel at Ciergnon Castle in Houyet, Namur, Belgium. Ciergnon Castle is one of the favorite summer residences of the Belgian royal family.

Ciergnon Castle; Credit – By Paul Hermans – Own work, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24443117

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Albert II, King of the Belgians

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Albert being carried into the church for his christening. He is followed by his father and mother and then his elder sister and elder brother.
  • Unofficial Royalty: Albert II, King of the Belgians
  • Parents: King Leopold III and Queen Astrid, born Princess Astrid of Sweden
  • Born: June 6, 1934, at Stuyvenberg Castle in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium
  • Christened: June 1934 at the Church of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in Brussels, Belgium
  • Names: Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie. He was given the name Albert in honor of his grandfather Albert I, King of the Belgians who was killed in a mountain climbing accident on February 17, 1934, four months before his birth. When Albert was only 14 months old, his mother was killed in a car accident.
  • Godparents:
  • King Albert II abdicated in favor of his son Philippe on July 21, 2013.

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Philippe, King of the Belgians

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Philippe is being held by a midwife as his godparents former King Leopold III of Belgium (left) and Luisa Ruffo di Calabria, look on

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Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant

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Elisabeth with her parents at her christening

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Prince Gabriel of Belgium

Gabriel’s mother holding him during his christening; Credit – Hello

  • Unofficial Royalty: Prince Gabriel of Belgium
  • Parents: Philippe, King of the Belgians and Queen Mathilde, born Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz
  • Born: August 20, 2003, in Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht, Belgium
  • Christened: October 25, 2003, at Ciergnon Castle in Houyet, Namur, Belgium
  • Names: Gabriel Baudouin Charles Marie
  • Godparents:
    • Baroness Maria Christina von Freyberg, his second cousin
    • Count Charles-Henri d’Udekem d’Acoz, his maternal uncle

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Prince Emmanuel of Belgium

Emmanuel with his parents and godparents at his christening; Credit – http://www.corbisimages.com

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Princess Eléonore of Belgium

Eléonore, held by her mother, with her father and godparents; Photo: Zimbio

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British Royal Christenings: House of Tudor

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

This article does not contain christening information for some Tudors because the information is unknown and/or some children died young.

King Henry VII of England, born Henry Tudor

Credit – Wikipedia

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Elizabeth of York, Queen of England

Credit – Wikipedia

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Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

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Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots

Credit – Wikipedia

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King Henry VIII of England

Credit – Wikipedia

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Mary Tudor, Queen of France, Duchess of Suffolk

Mary Tudor & her second husband Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk; Credit – Wikipedia

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Henry, Duke of Cornwall

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Queen Mary I of England

Credit – Wikipedia

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Queen Elizabeth I of England

Credit – Wikipedia

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King Edward VI of England

Credit – Wikipedia

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This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

British Royal Christenings: House of Stuart

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

This article does not contain christening information for some Stuarts because the information is unknown and many children died young.

King James I of England/James VI, King of Scots

Credit – Wikipedia

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Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales
  • Parents: King James I, then James VI, King of Scots, and Anne of Denmark
  • Born: February 19, 1594, at Stirling Castle in Stirling; styled from birth Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles, the traditional titles for the heir apparent to the Scots throne
  • Christened: August 30, 1594, at the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle
  • Names: Henry Frederick after his grandfathers, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and King Frederik II of Denmark
  • Died: November 6, 1612, probably of typhoid fever

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Elizabeth Stuart, Electress Palatine

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: Elizabeth Stuart, Electress Palatine
  • Parents: King James I, then James VI, King of Scots, and Anne of Denmark
  • Born: August 19, 1596, at Falkland Palace in Fife, Scotland
  • Christened: November 28, 1596, in the Chapel Royal at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Died: February 13, 1662
  • Elizabeth was the mother of Sophia, Electress of Hanover who was the mother of King George I, the first king from the House of Hanover

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King Charles I of England

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: King Charles I of England (also Charles I, King of Scots)
  • Parents: King James I, then James VI, King of Scots, and Anne of Denmark
  • Born: November 19, 1600, at Dunfermline Palace in Fife, Scotland
  • Christened: December 23, 1600, in the Chapel Royal at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Died: beheaded January 30, 1649

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Mary Stuart

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King Charles II of England

Credit – Wikipedia

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Mary, Princess Royal, Princess of Orange

Credit – Wikipedia

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King James II of England

James and his siblings in 1637: Left to right: Mary, James, Charles, Elizabeth, and Anne; Credit – Wikipedia

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Elizabeth Stuart

Elizabeth on the left holding her sister Anne; Credit – Wikipedia

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Anne Stuart
see portraits above

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Henry, Duke of Gloucester

Credit – Wikipedia

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Henrietta Stuart, Duchess of Orléans

Credit – Wikipedia

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Charles Stuart, Duke of Cambridge 

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Queen Mary II of England

Mary, on the left, with her parents and her sister Anne; Credit – Wikipedia

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King William III of England, Willem III, Prince of Orange

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: King William III of England (also William II, King of Scots)
  • Parents: Mary, Princess Royal and Willem II, Prince of Orange
  • Born: November 4, 1650, at Binnenhof in The Hague, Dutch Republic
  • William was the only child of Mary, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of King Charles I. His father died at age 24 of smallpox eight days before William’s birth, so from birth, William was the sovereign Prince of Orange. He married his first cousin Mary, the eldest daughter of King James II
  • Christened: January 21, 1651, at the Grote Kerk (Great Church) in The Hague, Dutch Republic
  • Names: his mother wanted to name him Charles after her beheaded father but her mother-in-law insisted on the traditional House of Orange names Willem Hendrik
  • Died: March 8, 1702

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James, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

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Queen Anne of Great Britain

Anne, in between her parents, with her sister Mary; Credit – Wikipedia

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Charles Stuart, Duke of Kendal

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Edgar Stuart, Duke of Cambridge

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Queen Anne’s obstetrical history is tragic. She had 17 pregnancies with only five children being born alive. Two died on the day of their birth, two died at less than two years old within six days of each other from smallpox, and one died at age 11. Below is the christening information for the three children who survived infancy,

The Lady Mary

  • Parents: The Lady Anne, the future Queen Anne and Prince George of Denmark
  • Born: June 2, 1685, at the Palace of Whitehall in London, England
  • Christened: June 2, 1685, at the Palace of Whitehall in London, England
  • Died: February 8, 1687, from smallpox

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The Lady Anne Sophia

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Prince William, Duke of Gloucester

William in the robes of the Order of the Garter, Credit – Wikipedia

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This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

British Royal Christenings: House of Hanover

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

For christenings of Queen Victoria’s children, her grandchildren who were born British princes and princess, and her other children who were christened in the United Kingdom see Christenings of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Their Children, and Select Grandchildren.

There is no christening information on King George I, his children King George II and Sophia Dorothea, and the first four children of King George II. All of them were born in Hanover and were most likely christened at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hanover.

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King George I, born Georg Ludwig of Brunswick-Lüneburg

King George I as a young army officer; Credit – Wikipedia

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CHILDREN OF KING GEORGE I

King George II, born Georg August of Brunswick-Lüneburg

George II, in the middle, with his mother and sister Sophia Dorothea; Credit – Wikipedia

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Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, Queen of Prussia
(see portrait above)

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CHILDREN OF KING GEORGE II

Frederick, Prince of Wales, born Friedrich Ludwig of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Credit – Wikipedia

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Anne, Princess Royal, Princess of Orange, born Anne of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Anne, Amelia and Caroline, 1721; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Amelia of Great Britain, born Amelia of Brunswick-Lüneburg
(see portrait above)

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Princess Caroline of Great Britain, born Caroline of Brunswick-Lüneburg
(see portrait above)

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Prince George William of Great Britain

Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince William, Duke of Cumberland

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Mary of Great Britain, Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Louisa of Great Britain, Queen of Denmark

Credit – Wikipedia

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CHILDREN AND OF FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES

Princess Augusta of Wales, Duchess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

Augusta, on the right, with her brothers George and Edward; Credit – Wikipedia

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King George III of the United Kingdom, born Prince George of Wales

George, on the right, with his brother Edward and their tutor Francis Ayscough; Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Edward, Duke of York, born Prince Edward of Wales
(see portrait above)

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Princess Elizabeth of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, born Prince William Henry of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Sophia of Gloucester, daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Caroline of Gloucester, daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester

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Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, son of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester

William and his sister Sophia, 1779; Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Henry, Duke of Cumberland, born Prince Henry of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Louisa of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Frederick of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

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Queen Caroline Matilda of Denmark, born Princess Caroline Matilda of Wales

Caroline Matilda with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

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CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF KING GEORGE III

King George IV of the United Kingdom, born George, Prince of Wales

George (left) with his mother and brother Frederick; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Charlotte of Wales, daughter of the future King George IV

Charlotte with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Frederick, Duke of York

Frederick on the left with his mother and his brother George; Credit – Wikipedia

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King William IV of the United Kingdom, William, Duke of Clarence

William (left) and his younger brother Edward, 1778; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Elizabeth of Clarence, daughter of the future King William IV

Recumbent effigy of Princess Elizabeth of Clarence in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle, Credit – Wikipedia

  • Wikipedia: Princess Elizabeth of Clarence
  • Parents: Prince William, Duke of Clarence, the future King William IV and Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
  • Born: December 10, 1820, at St James’ Palace in London, England, six weeks prematurely
  • Christened: December 10, 1820, at St James’ Palace in London, England
  • Names: Elizabeth Georgiana Adelaide
  • Godparents:
  • Died: March 4, 1821, of the then inoperable condition of a strangulated hernia. During her short life, Elizabeth was ahead of her cousin, the future Queen Victoria, in the line of succession.

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Charlotte, Princess Royal, Queen of Württemberg

Queen Charlotte with Charlotte, Princess Royal; Credit – Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2016

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Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

Credit – Wikipedia

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Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, born Princess Victoria of Kent, daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

Victoria with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Augusta of the United Kingdom

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg

Credit – Wikipedia

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Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland

Credit – Wikipedia

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George V, King of Hanover, born Prince George of Cumberland, son of Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland

Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Augustus, Duke of Sussex

Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, son of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Augusta of Cambridge, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, Duchess of Teck, daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Mary of the United Kingdom, Duchess of Gloucester

Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom

Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Octavius of Great Britain

Credit – Wikipedia

Note: Prince Octavius is “of Great Britain” because it was not until 1801, after his death, that his father’s title changed to “of the United Kingdom.”

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Prince Alfred of Great Britain

Credit – Wikipedia

Note: Prince Alfred is “of Great Britain” because it was not until 1801, after his death, that his father’s title changed to “of the United Kingdom.”

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Princess Amelia of the United Kingdom

Credit – Wikipedia

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This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

British Royal Christenings: Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Their Children, and Select Grandchildren

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

Exact replica of the original royal christening gown which was commissioned by Queen Victoria and first used at the christening of her eldest child Victoria in 1841; Credit – www.rct.uk/collection

Several of the British Royal Family’s christening traditions started with the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest child. After the birth of her first child Victoria, Princess Royal in 1840, Queen Victoria commissioned a christening gown to be made.  The gown of Honiton lace lined with Spitalfields silk was made by Janet Sutherland, the daughter of a Scottish coal miner from Falkirk, who received the title Embroiderer to the Queen for her work.  First worn by Victoria, Princess Royal at her christening on February 10, 1841, her parents’ first wedding anniversary, the gown was worn by 62 descendants of Queen Victoria.  Lady Louise Windsor, the elder of the two children of Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, was the last to wear the 1841 gown at her christening in 2004. Due to the gown’s age and delicate condition, Queen Elizabeth II commissioned Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen, to make a hand-made replica in order to preserve the original.  Jame Windsor, Earl of Wessex, the younger of the two children of Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, was the first to wear the replica gown at his christening in 2008.

The Lily Font; Credit – https://www.royalcollection.org.uk

The Lily Font is a silver baptismal font commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 after the birth of their first child, Victoria, Princess Royal. It was first used at the christening of Victoria, Princess Royal in 1841 and has been used for royal christenings ever since except that of Princess Eugenie of York. Prince Albert helped design the font which is made from a silver gilt with the appearance of gold. Three winged cherubs sit on the base of the font above the royal arms of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Victoria, Princess Royal. The cherubs are playing lyres and above them leaves reach up to support the bowl which is edged by water lilies. For the christening of Victoria, Princess Royal, the Lily Font was placed on a table as seen in the portrait below of the christening of Victoria, Princess Royal.  Sometimes the Lily Font is placed into the larger 1660 Charles II font and its basin or the christening basin made in 1735 and first used at the christening of the future King George III in 1738.  This can be seen below in the portrait of the christening of the future King Edward VII. The Lily Font is part of the Crown Jewels and is kept at the Jewel House at the Tower of London when not in use.

The original Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, lithograph by Joseph Nash, 1848; Credit – Wikipedia

The Private Chapel at Windsor Castle was the site for the most christenings among this group of royalty, with the Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace a close second. The Private Chapel at Windsor Castle was created for Queen Victoria by architect Edward Blore between 1840 and 1847. There were niches with marble sculptures, pews, and a large Gothic chandelier hanging from the ceiling. On November 20, 1992, a fire began in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle when a painter left a spotlight too close to curtains. The fire caused much damage to Windsor Castle. The Private Chapel was later restored but the new Private Chapel is much smaller, has chairs instead of pews, and is only able to fit thirty people. The new altar was made by Queen Elizabeth’s nephew David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon who is a furniture designer and maker.

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The original Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace, circa 1910-1911

The Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace was created for Queen Victoria in 1844 in what had originally been a conservatory. On September 13, 1940, the Private Chapel was destroyed in a German bombing raid during World War II. Originally, King George VI had wanted the Private Chapel rebuilt but because of all the reconstruction needed in the country after World War II, the plan was shelved. The Queen’s Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection. At that time, the Private Chapel was relocated to the south-eastern part of Buckingham Palace.

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Included below is christening information for Queen Victoria, her husband Prince Albert, their nine children, their grandchildren born British princes and princesses, and their other grandchildren christened in the United Kingdom. It is interesting to note that Queen Victoria was a godparent to many of her grandchildren. Many godparents did not attend the christening. Instead, usually, a British royal family member would serve as a proxy. Please note that not all of the photos below are christening photos.

Queen Victoria

Victoria with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince Consort

Albert on the left with his mother and elder brother Ernst; Credit – Wikipedia

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Victoria, Princess Royal, German Empress and Queen of Prussia

Christening of Victoria, Princess Royal in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace in 1841; Credit – Wikipedia

(All of the children of Victoria, Princess Royal were born and christened in Prussia.)

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King Edward VII, born Albert Edward, Prince of Wales

The christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest son Albert Edward, Prince of Wales in 1842; Credit – Wikipedia

(All the children of Edward VII were born British princes and princesses. Their christening information is listed below.)

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Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, born Prince Albert Victor of Wales, known as Prince Eddy

Prince Eddy with his mother and father; Credit – Wikipedia

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King George V, born Prince George of Wales

The Princess of Wales holding Prince George who is wearing the christening gown; Credit – http://glucksburg.blogspot.com/

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Princess Louise, Princess Royal, Duchess of Fife, born Princess Louise of Wales

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Princess Louise with her mother

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Princess Victoria of the United Kingdom, born Princess Victoria of Wales

Alexandra, Princess of Wales; Princess Victoria of Wales by W. & D. Downey, albumen carte-de-visite, Autumn 1868, NPG x3602 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Maud of Wales, Queen of Norway

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Princess Maud with her mother

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Prince John of Wales

  • Parents: The Prince and Princess of Wales, later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (born Princess Alexandra of Denmark)
  • Born: prematurely on April 6, 1871, at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England, died April 7, 1871
  • Christened: April 6, 1871, at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England
  • Names: Alexander John Charles Albert

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Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine

Painting of baby Princess Alice by Edwin Landseer, a surprise gift from Prince Albert for Queen Victoria; Credit – Wikipedia

(All of Alice’s children except for her first child Victoria were born and christened in the Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine. Victoria’s christening information is listed below)

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Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine

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Princess Alice holding her daughter Princess Victoria

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Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Christening of Prince Alfred; Credit – http://www.avictorian.com

(Alfred’s children were born British princes and princesses. Their christening information is below.)

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Prince Alfred of Edinburgh, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Alfred with his parents; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Marie of Edinburgh, Queen of Romania

1882 portrait of Marie by John Everett Millais commissioned by Queen Victoria; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna of Russia

Royal Family group by Alexander Bassano, half-plate glass negative, 1879, NPG x95985 © National Portrait Gallery, London (Victoria Melita on the left with her siblings)

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Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Galliera

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Princess Helena of the United Kingdom, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein

Helena on the right with her brother Alfred; Credit – Wikipedia

(Helena’s children were born and christened in the United Kingdom. Their christening information is below.)

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Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein

Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, half-plate glass negative, circa 1875, NPG x95879 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Prince Albert, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein

Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, half-plate collodion glass negative, circa 1875, NPG x96022 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein

Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, quarter-plate glass negative, July 1879, NPG x96017 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein

Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, quarter-plate glass negative, July 1879, NPG x96050 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll

Princess Louise; Credit – Wikipedia

(Louise had did not have any children.)

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Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught

Arthur with his parents and Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington; Credit – Wikipedia

(Arthur’s children were born British princes and princesses. Their christening information is below.)

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Princess Margaret of Connaught, Crown Princess of Sweden

Margaret with her grandmother Queen Victoria; Credit – Wikipedia

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Prince Arthur of Connaught

Prince Arthur of Connaught by Alexander Bassano, albumen cabinet card, 1885, NPG x128290 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Patricia of Connaught, Lady Patricia Ramsay

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Patricia on the left with her grandmother Queen Victoria and her brother Arthur

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Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany

Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany by John Jabez Edwin Mayall, albumen carte-de-visite, February 1861, NPG x15726 © National Portrait Gallery, London

(Leopold’s children were born a British prince and princess. Their christening information is below.)

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Princess Alice of Albany, Countess of Athlone

Alice with her father; Credit – Wikipedia

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Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Princess Helen, Duchess of Albany; Prince Charles Edward, 2nd Duke of Albany and Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha by Byrne & Co, albumen cabinet card, December 1884, NPG x76776 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg

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Beatrice with her mother

(Beatrice’s children were born and christened in the United Kingdom. Their christening information is below.)

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Alexander Mountbatten, 1st Marquess of Carisbrooke, born Prince Alexander of Battenberg

Princess Beatrice; Alexander Albert Mountbatten, 1st Marquess of Carisbrooke by W. & D. Downey, albumen cabinet card, circa 1890 NPG Ax5554 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, Queen of Spain

Princess Victoria of Prussia holding her cousin Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg by Alexander Bassano, half-plate glass negative, 1888, NPG x95917 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Lord Leopold Mountbatten, born Prince Leopold of Battenberg

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Leopold on the left with his sister Victoria Eugenie and his brother Alexander

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Prince Maurice of Battenberg

The Baptism of Prince Maurice of Battenberg by George Ogilvy Reid; Credit – The National Galleries of Scotland

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Princess Royal

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Anne, Princess Royal; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Royal is a title usually granted to the eldest daughter of the Sovereign when the previous Princess Royal is no longer living. The title Princess Royal is not created by Letters Patent but is granted by a warrant through the College of Arms.  When and if an eligible princess is created Princess Royal is at the discretion of the Sovereign.

The holder of the title is styled Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The current Princess Royal is Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. The next possible Princess Royal is Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. She could become Princess Royal after Anne’s death, providing her father Prince William, Duke of Cambridge is King.

History

      
The seven women who have been Princess Royal: Mary, Anne, Charlotte, Victoria, Louise. Mary, and Anne; Credit – Wikipedia

During the reign of King Henri IV of France, his eldest daughter Elisabeth was known as Madame Royale before her marriage, indicating her status as the eldest and most senior unmarried daughter of the king. After Elisabeth’s marriage, her next sister Christine became Madame Royale. When Christine married, her younger sister Henrietta Maria became Madame Royale.

In 1625, Henrietta Maria of France married King Charles I of England. She wanted to imitate the way the eldest unmarried daughter of the King of France was styled Madame Royale and so her eldest daughter Mary was created Princess Royal in 1642. In the English version, the holders retain the title for life so an eligible princess cannot receive the title during the lifetime of another Princess Royal. Queen Elizabeth II could have been created Princess Royal but her aunt Mary, Princess Royal lived until 1965, thirteen years into her niece’s reign.

Mary, the first Princess Royal; Credit – Wikipedia

The Princesses Royal

Name Years Princess Royal Parent

Husband

Mary, Princess Royal, Princess of Orange (1631 – 1660)

1642 – 1660 King Charles I

Willem II, Prince of Orange

Anne, Princess Royal, Princess of Orange (1709 – 1759)

1727 – 1759 King George II

Willem IV, Prince of Orange

Charlotte, Princess Royal, Queen of Württemberg (1766 – 1828)

1789 – 1828 King George III

Friedrich I, King of Württemberg

Victoria, Princess Royal, German Empress (1840 – 1901)

1841 – 1901 Queen Victoria

Friedrich III, German Emperor

Louise, Princess Royal, Duchess of Fife (1867- 1931)

1905 – 1931 King Edward VII

Alexander Duff, 1st Duke of Fife

Mary, Princess Royal, Countess of Harewood (1897 – 1965)

1932 – 1965 King George V

Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood

Anne, Princess Royal (born 1950)

1987 – present Queen Elizabeth II

Mark Phillips

Timothy Laurence

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.