British Royal Christenings: House of Windsor

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

Children of the British Royal Family are christened following the Holy Baptism rite of the Church of England of which the monarch is the Supreme Governor. Royal christenings are small, private affairs usually attended by the immediate family, the godparents and their spouses. Only the christening of Princess Eugenie of York, the younger of the two daughters of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and his former wife Sarah, Duchess of York, was held at a regular Sunday service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England.

Christenings of members of the House of Windsor have been held at intimate settings, mostly palace chapels, including the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle, the Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace, the Music Room at Buckingham Palace, the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace, and St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. Only one christening, that of Prince Harry in 1984, was held at a large church, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, but it was still a private, family affair.

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

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, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was the last to wear the 1841 gown at her christening in 2004.

Exact replica of the original royal christening gown; Credit – www.rct.uk/collection

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.  James, Viscount Severn, the younger of the two children of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was the first to wear the replica gown at his christening in 2008.  Photos of royal babies wearing the original gown and the replica can be seen below.

The Lily Font; Photo 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 above.  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.  The portrait below shows the Lily Font placed in the 1660 Charles II font and basin.  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 Lily Font on top of the Charles II Font and Basin at the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest son Albert Edward, Prince of Wales in 1842; Credit – Wikipedia

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Please note that not all of the photos below are christening photos. The first photo below shows the future King George V wearing the 1841 christening gown.

King George V, born Prince George of Wales

The Princess of Wales holding Prince George; Credit – http://glucksburg.blogspot.com/

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Queen Mary, born Princess Victoria Mary of Teck

With her parents The Duke and Duchess of Teck; Credit – Wikipedia

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The Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII, born Prince Edward of York

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Four Generations: Queen Victoria holding Prince Edward, The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) and The Duke of York (later King George V)

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King George VI, born Prince George of York

The Duchess of York holding Prince Albert; Credit – https://www.royalcollection.org.uk

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Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, born The Honorable Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

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  • Unofficial Royalty: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
  • Parents: Claude Bowes-Lyon, Lord Glamis, later the 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and Nina Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck
  • Born: August 4, 1900
  • Christened: September 23, 1900 at All Saints Church in St Paul’s Walden Bury, Hertfordshire, England
  • Names: Elizabeth Angela Marguerite
  • Godparents (incomplete list):
    • Lady Maud Bowes-Lyon (her paternal aunt)
    • Mrs. Arthur James (her mother’s second cousin, born Venetia Cavendish-Bentinck)

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Princess Mary, The Princess Royal, born Princess Mary of York

The Duchess of York with her only daughter Princess Mary

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Prince Henry, The Duke of Gloucester, born Prince Henry of York

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Queen Victoria at Osborne with the children of the Duke and Duchess of York (left to right) Prince Albert (George VI), Princess Mary (Princess Royal, Countess of Harewood), Prince Edward (Edward VIII) and Prince Henry (Duke of Gloucester) on Queen Victoria’s lap

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Prince George, The Duke of Kent, born Prince George of Wales

Prince George with his eldest brother Prince Edward of Wales

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Prince John of the United Kingdom, born Prince John of Wales

Queen Mary; Prince George, Duke of Kent; Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood; Prince John; Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester by William Edwin Sorrell, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd bromide postcard print, 1905 NPG x29776 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Alastair Windsor, 2nd Duke of Connaught, born Prince Alastair of Connaught

Photo Credit – www.royalcollection.org.uk

  • Wikipedia: Alastair Windsor, 2nd Duke of Connaught
  • Parents: Prince Arthur of Connaught and Princess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife
  • Born: August 9, 1914 at 54 Mount Street in Mayfair, London, England
  • Christened: August 25, 1914 at 54 Mount Street in Mayfair, London, England
  • Names: Alastair Arthur
  • Godparents:
    • King George V (his father’s first cousin and his mother’s uncle)
    • Alfonso XIII, King of Spain (husband of his father’s first cousin and his mother’s first cousin once removed)
    • Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught (his paternal grandfather and his mother’s great-uncle)
    • Queen Alexandra (his father’s aunt by marriage and his maternal great-grandmother)
    • Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (Queen Victoria’s daughter, his father’s aunt and his mother’s great-aunt)
    • Princess Mary (his father’s first cousin once removed and his mother’s first cousin)

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Queen Elizabeth II, born Princess Elizabeth of York

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Back Row (left to right): The Duke of Connaught, King George V, The Duke of York, The Earl of Strathmore; Front Row (left to right): Lady Elphinstone, Queen Mary, The Duchess of York holding Princess Elizabeth, The Countess of Strathmore, Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles

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Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, born Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark

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  • Unofficial Royalty: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
  • Parents: Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg
  • Born:  June 10, 1921 at the Villa Mon Repos on the Isle of Corfu, Greece
  • Christened: [no date] at St. George’s Church in the Old Fortress in Corfu, Greece according to the rites of the Greek Orthodox Church
  • Name: Philippos
  • Godparents:
    • Queen Olga of Greece (his paternal grandmother, born Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna of Russia)
    • The Corfu City Council (represented by Alexander S. Kokotos, Mayor of Corfu and Stylianos I. Maniarizis, Chairman of the City Council)

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Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, born Princess Margaret of York

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Princess Margaret with her mother The Duchess of York

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Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent, born Prince Edward of Kent

Credit – Prince George, Duke of Kent; Prince Edward, Duke of Kent; Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent by Unknown photographer, bromide print, 1936, NPG x182255 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Princess Alexandra, The Honorable Lady Ogilvy, born Princess Alexandra of Kent

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A nanny holding Princess Alexandra

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Prince William of Gloucester

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Back Row (left to right): The Duke of Gloucester, King George VI, Lord William Montagu Douglas Scott; Front Row (left to right): Princess Helena Victoria, The Duchess of Gloucester, Queen Mary holding her grandson, Lady Margaret Hawkins

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Prince Michael of Kent

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Prince Michael with his family at his christening; three weeks later his father was killed in a plane crash

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Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester, born Prince Richard of Gloucester

Prince Richard with his brother Prince William and his mother The Duchess of Gloucester; Credit – cms.countrylife.co.uk

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King Charles III of the United Kingdom, born Prince Charles of Edinburgh

Left to right seated are: the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven, Princess Elizabeth, holding her son, and Queen Mary; Rear, Left to right: Lady Brabourne, the Duke of Edinburgh, King George VI; The Hon. David Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Athlone and Princess Margaret; Photo Credit – www.hellomagazine.com

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Diana, Princess of Wales, born The Honorable Lady Diana Spencer

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Diana with her parents at her christening
  • Unofficial Royalty: Diana, Princess of Wales
  • Parents: John Spencer, Viscount Althorp, later the 8th Earl Spencer, and The Honourable Frances Burke Roche
  • Born:  July 1, 1961 at Park House in Sandringham, Norfolk, England
  • Christened: August 30, 1961 at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England
  • Names: Diana Frances
  • Godparents:
    • John Floyd (Chairman of Christie’s, her father’s friend)
    • Alexander Gilmour (her father’s cousin)
    • Lady Mary Colman (niece of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother)
    • Mrs. Michael Pratt (friend and neighbour of Diana’s parents)
    • Mrs. William Fox (friend and neighbour of Diana’s parents)

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Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, born Camilla Shand

Camilla on left with her siblings, Mark in the middle and Annabel on the right; Photo Credit – www.dailymail.co.uk

  • Unofficial Royalty: Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom
  • Parents: Major Bruce Shand and The Honourable Rosalind Cubitt
  • Born: July 17, 1947 at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London
  • Christened: November 1, 1947 at Firle Church in Lewes, Sussex, England
  • Names: Camilla Rosemary
  • Godparents:
    • The Honourable Harry Cubitt (her maternal uncle, later the 4th Baron Ashcombe)
    • Major Neil Speke
    • Mrs. Lombard Hobson
    • Mrs. Heathcoat Amory
    • Miss Vivien Mosley

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Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, born Princess Anne of Edinburgh

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Back Row (left to right): 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Princess Margarita of Greece and Denmark and The Honorable Reverand Andrew Elphinstone. Front Row (left to right): Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, Princess Elizabeth holding Princess Anne and Queen Elizabeth

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Prince Andrew, The Duke of York

Andrew on his christening day with his parents and his elder brother Charles and elder sister Anne; Photo Credit – daysofmajesty.blogspot.com

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Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh

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Edward with his mother and brother Andrew

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Prince William, The Prince of Wales, born Prince William of Wales

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The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince William and his godparents (seated) ex-King Constantine of Greece, (standing, left to right) Princess Alexandra, Lord Romsey, Lady Hussey, Sir Laurens Van Der Post and the Duchess of Westminster

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Catherine, The Princess of Wales, born Catherine Middleton

  • Unofficial Royalty: Catherine, The Princess of Wales
  • Parents: Michael Middleton and Carole Goldsmith
  • Born: January 9, 1982 at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, Berkshire, England
  • Christened: June 20, 1982 at St. Andrew’s Church in Bradfield, Berkshire, England
  • Names: Catherine Elizabeth
  • Godparents:

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Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, born Prince Harry of Wales

Prince Harry’s Christening; Photo Credit – www.abc.net.au

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Princess Beatrice of York

Princess Beatrice’s christening; Photo Credit – entertainment.xin.msn.com

  • Unofficial Royalty: Princess Beatrice of York
  • Parents: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson
  • Born: August 8, 1988 at Portland Hospital in London, England
  • Christened: December 20, 1988 at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace in London, England
  • Names: Beatrice Elizabeth Mary
  • Godparents:
    • David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon (her father’s first cousin)
    • Peter Palumbo, Baron Palumbo (her maternal grandfather’s friend)
    • The Duchess of Roxburghe (the former Lady Jane Grosvenor, later Lady Jane Dawnay)
    • The Honourable Mrs. John Greenall (her mother’s friend, the former Gabrielle James)
    • Mrs. Henry Cotterell (her mother’s friend, the former Carolyn Beckwith-Smith)

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Princess Eugenie of York

photo: Days of Majesty

  • Unofficial Royalty: Princess Eugenie of York
  • Parents: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson
  • Born: March 23, 1990 at Portland Hospital in London, England
  • Christened: December 23, 1990 at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England
  • Names: Eugenie Victoria Helena
  • Godparents:
    • James Ogilvy (her father’s second cousin)
    • Captain Alastair Ross (her father’s former commander on HMS Edinburgh)
    • Mrs. Ronald Ferguson (her mother’s stepmother)
    • Mrs. Patrick (Julia) Dodd-Noble (her parents’ friend)
    • Miss Louise Blacker (her mother’s friend)

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Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

Front row (left to right) The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen, The Earl of Wessex, The Countess of Wessex holding Lady Louise, Mr and Mrs Christopher Rhys-Jones, back row (left to right) Lord Ivar Mountbatten, Lady Alexandra Etherington, Lady Sarah Chatto, Mrs Urs Schwarzenbach and Mr Rupert Elliott; Photo by Lichfield/Getty Images

  • Unofficial Royalty: Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
  • Parents: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie Rhys-Jones
  • Born: November 8, 2003 at Frimley Park Hospital in Frimley, Surrey, England
  • Christened: April 24, 2004 in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England
  • Names: Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary
  • Godparents:
    • Lady Alexandra Etherington (her father’s third cousin, daughter of James Carnegie, 3rd Duke of Fife)
    • Lady Sarah Chatto (her father’s first cousin)
    • Lord Ivar Mountbatten (her father’s second cousin, son of David Mountbatten, 3rd Marquess of Milford-Haven)
    • Rupert Elliott (her father’s friend from Cambridge University)
    • Francesca Schwarzenbach (her parents’ friend)

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James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex

James, Viscount Severn with his parents; Credit – Daily Mail/Camera Press

  • Unofficial Royalty: James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn
  • Parents: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie Rhys-Jones
  • Born: December 17, 2007 at Frimley Park Hospital in Frimley, Surrey, England
  • Christened: April 19, 2008 in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England
  • Names: James Alexander Philip Theo
  • Godparents:
    • Denise Poulton (a friend of his mother and trustee of the Wessex Youth Trust)
    • Jeanye Erwin (his mother’s former flat-mate)
    • Alastair Bruce of Crionaich
    • Duncan Bullivant (a school friend of his father)
    • Thomas Hill

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Prince George of Wales, born Prince George of Cambridge

Four generations: Prince George with his father, grandfather, and great-grandmother; photo: Jason Bell/Camera Press

  • Unofficial Royalty: Prince George of Wales
  • Parents: Prince William, The Prince of Wales and Catherine Middleton
  • Born:  July 22, 2013 at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, England
  • Christened: October 23, 2013 in the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace in London, England
  • Names: George Alexander Louis
  • Godparents:
    • Oliver Baker (a schoolmate of his parents at The University of St Andrews)
    • Emilia d’Erlanger Jardine-Paterson (a schoolmate of his mother at Marlborough College)
    • Hugh Grosvenor, Earl Grosvenor (friend of his father)
    • Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton (private secretary to his parents)
    • Julia Samuel (a close friend of his late grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales)
    • William van Cutsem (a friend of his father)
    • Zara Phillips TIndall paternal first cousin of his father)

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Princess Charlotte of Wales, born Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

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Princess Charlotte with her mother
  • Unofficial Royalty: Princess Charlotte of Wales
  • Parents: Prince William, The Prince of Wales and Catherine Middleton
  • Born:  May 2, 2015 at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, England
  • Christened: July 5, 2015 at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England
  • Names: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana
  • Godparents:
    • The Honorable Laura Fellowes (maternal first cousin of her father)
    • Adam Middleton (paternal first cousin of his mother)
    • Thomas van Straubenzee (a close friend)
    • James Meade (a close friend)
    • Sophie Carter (a close friend)

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Prince Louis of Wales, born Prince Louis of Cambridge

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Prince Louis with his parents and siblings
  • Unofficial Royalty: Prince Louis of Wales
  • Parents: Prince William, The Prince of Wales and Catherine Middleton
  • Born:  April 23, 2018 at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, England
  • Christened: July 9, 2018, at The Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace in London, England
  • Names: Louis Arthur Charles (Louis is pronounced Lou-ee)
  • Godparents
    • Mr. Nicholas van Cutsem (a friend of his father)
    • Mr. Guy Pelly (a friend of his father)
    • Mr. Harry Aubrey-Fletcher (an Eton College friend of his father)
    • Lady Laura Meade (friend of his father formerly Laura Marsham, daughter of Julian Marsham, 8th Earl of Romney; wife of James Meade who is a godfather of Princess Charlotte)
    • Mrs. Robert (Hannah) Carter (a school friend of his mother)
    • Miss Lucy Middleton  (paternal first cousin of his mother)

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Prince Archie of Sussex

  • Unofficial Royalty: Prince Archie of Sussex
  • Parents: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle
  • Born:  May 6, 2019, at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children in London, England
  • Christened: July 6, 2019 at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, England
  • Names: Archie Harrison
  • Godparents: The identity of the godparents was not made public.

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Princess Lilibet of Sussex

  • Unofficial Royalty: Princess Lilibet of Sussex
  • Parents: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle
  • Born:  June 4, 2021, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California,
  • Christened: March 3, 2023 at the family home in Montecito, California
  • Names: Lilibet Diana
  • Godparents: Tyler Perry (friend of her parents)

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