Royal Family News
The Queen, Kate and William to host dual royal christening on Saturday
The Queen is set to attend a joint christening ceremony on Saturday, where Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall will christen their babies.
Her Majesty has had to withdraw from numerous public events in recent weeks due to a back sprain and concerns about her health.
However, the Sun newspaper has reported that she is planning to attend the christening as the second cousins are baptised at All Saints Chapel in Great Windsor Park, Berkshire.
It is understood she will make a decision on the day and consult with her personal doctor in advance.
Others in attendance will likely include Prince William and Kate Middleton, who will be joining the Queen hand-in-hand.
A royal source said, “Her Majesty is very keen to be there as she knows how important this is for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Trending:
It's set to be a heart-warming family occasion and a time of real celebration after what has been some challenging times for certain royals of late, including the Queen herself.”
It is thought tomorrow is the first time members of the royal family will have been baptised together.
Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank's son August was meant to be christened in July before the event was cancelled due to Covid.
He will be baptised alongside Lucas Philip, the son of Mike and Zara Tyndall, born in March.
The ceremony will be led by Canon Martin Paul, who is chaplain to Great Windsor Park and will take place at the private Grade II listed church which forms part of the Royal Lodge House.
Meanwhile, almost six-month-old child, Lilibet, could be destined for a UK christening with Prince Charles reportedly bringing back five or six dozen bottles of holy water from Jordan.
The Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are currently on a four-day tour of the Middle East, with the royal couple visiting Jordan and Egypt.
On Tuesday the royal couple were given the opportunity to dip their fingers in the water where Jesus was baptised.
Prince Charles has been reportedly bringing back holy water from the River Jordan for baptisms, leading to speculation Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor will have hers in the UK.
Rustem Mkhachian, director-general of the baptism site, confirmed that the royal family had asked for the holy water.
He told the Daily Mail, “This time the embassy people asked for a few dozens, bottles, of holy water and we provided them with five dozen, six dozen, prior to this trip.”
He said he was not aware for what the holy water would be used.
Currently, the Sussex royals have not confirmed whether Lilibet will be christened or when it would happen.
Despite rumours that Lilibet is likely to be christened in the US, there had been suggestions the couple would return to Britain to have their four-month-old baptised at Windsor Castle like their son Archie, too.
Lilibet Diana, affectionately known as Lillian who is named after the Queen and after Harry's mum Diana, was born in a hospital in Santa Barbara, California in June.
But a palace insider told the Telegraph, “There will not be a christening in the UK.
It is not happening.”
Another source said it would be highly unlikely.
Instead, Lilibet is likely to be christened into the Episcopal Church of the US, a member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
If baptised in California, she would not automatically be considered a member of the Church of England, unless she came to Britain and joined a CofE congregation.
It is interesting to note that anyone can say they are a member of the Church of England if they worship in a CofE church and are not a member of an incompatible religion.
A member of the royal family does not need to be baptised to remain in the line of succession.
The christening of Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall's children will be a heart-warming occasion for the royal family after a challenging year.
The Queen is expected to attend the ceremony, despite her recent health concerns.
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are currently on a tour of the Middle East, where they have reportedly obtained holy water from the River Jordan for Lilibet's christening.
However, it seems unlikely that Lilibet will be christened in the UK, with sources saying it is not happening.