Queen and Prince Philip to Miss Prince Louis’ Christening

The christening of Prince Louis, the third child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will be held today at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace.

However, it has been confirmed by Buckingham Palace that the Queen and Prince Philip will not be attending the event.

The decision was made mutually by the monarch and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and it was not based on health grounds.

The Queen, who is 92 years old, is expected to attend high-profile celebrations in central London marking the centenary of the Wrath on Tuesday and host US President Donald Trump in Windsor on Friday.

She will be travelling back from Sandringham, Norfolk on Monday ahead of a busy week.

Prince Philip, who is 97 years old, has retired from public duties and has been enjoying his free time away from London.

He will also be missing the christening of his great-grandson.

Prince Louis, who is fifth in line to the throne, will be baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.

His older siblings, Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, three, will be present for their younger brother's big day.

This will be the first time the family of five will be seen together in public.

The palace has confirmed the six godparents of Prince Louis, who are Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey Fletcher, the Lady Laura Mead, Mrs Robert Carter, and Miss Lucy Middleton.

The service is expected to pay tribute to Princess Diana, as the Chapel Royal is where her coffin lay before her funeral.

After the special service, the Cambridges will pose for the first official family photos at Clarence House.

The official photographer for the christening will be Matt Holyoake, who also photographed the Queen and Prince Philip last year on their 70th wedding anniversary.