Baby Prince George is christened 7 godparents named

London (CNN) Prince George made his first public appearance in three months Wednesday as he arrived with his parents Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge for his christening at St. James's Palace.

The baby prince smiled as he was shown off to family members including his great grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip before the royals entered the Chapel Royal.

George was dressed in an elaborate lace and satin christening gown that's a replica of one made in 1841 for the christening of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter.

Being baptized into the church is more significant for George than for most people since he is in line to become king which would also make him the supreme governor of the Church of England.

Prince George is seen after his christening at the Chapel Royal in St. James' Palace in London on Wednesday October 23. The prince was christened Wednesday with water from the River Jordan at a rare four generation gathering of the royal family in London. Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge leave with their son along with with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after the christening. Catherine holds Prince George after his christening. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip followed by Prince Charles leave the Chapel Royal following the christening of the Queen's great grandson. Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall leave the chapel. Pippa and James Middleton sister and brother of the duchess leave the chapel. Carole Middleton Prince George's grandmother leaves the chapel following the christening. Grandfather of Prince George Michael Middleton leaves after the christening. Prince Harry leaves St. James' Palace. Godparent Zara Philips and husband Mike Tindall leave the palace. Jamie Lowther Pinkerton a former private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry leaves the Chapel Royal with his wife Susannah. William van Cutsem a childhood friend of Prince William leaves the chapel with his wife Rosie. Prince George is held by his father Prince William as they arrive for the christening. Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge talk to Queen Elizabeth II as they arrive with Prince George for the christening. Prince William holds Prince George ahead of the christening. Prince George is seen with his parents prior to the christening. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip talk to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as they arrive for the the christening. Pippa and James Middleton arrive at Chapel Royal for the christening. Oliver Baker who got to know William and Catherine at St. Andrew's University arrives at the chapel with his wife Melissa Nicholson. Emilia Jardine Paterson who went to school with Catherine arrives with her husband David. From left Michael and Julia Samuel arrive with Earl Grosvenor son of the Duke of Westminster. Julia Samuel was a good friend of William's mother Diana Princess of Wales. Spectators sit across from St. James' Palace as they wait for the royal family to arrive for the christening. Members of the media and others wait opposite St. James' Palace as the christening takes place inside. Terry Hut center stands outside St. James' with other spectators. Royal supporters look toward St. James' before the ceremony. Spectators sport the colors as they wait for the royal family to arrive. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Photos Prince George's christening Prepping for Prince George's christening Royal couple's 1st appearance since baby Royal family portrait

The occasion was kept uncharacteristically small in a shift away from the larger ceremonies that his father and grandfather enjoyed at Buckingham Palace.

His grandfather Prince Charles and uncle Prince Harry were among the select few invited to the ceremony along with Catherine's parents Carole and Michael Middleton and her siblings James and Pippa.

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The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev. Justin Welby greeted the guests as they arrived at the chapel.

The royal baby who was born in July has seven godparents among them Prince William's cousin Zara Tindall daughter of Princess Anne and close friends of the couple.

They include Oliver Baker who got to know William and Catherine at St. Andrew's University Emilia Jardine Paterson who went to school with Catherine and William van Cutsem a childhood friend of William.

The other godparents are Jamie Lowther Pinkerton a former private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry Julia Samuel who was a good friend of William's mother Diana Princess of Wales and Earl Grosvenor son of the Duke of Westminster.

The replica christening gown was brought into use in 2008 to help preserve the 170 year old original used until then for every royal christening including those of Prince William and his father Charles.

The venue for the christening also has a special significance for Prince William. The body of his mother Diana rested in the Chapel Royal for five days before her funeral in 1997.

After the service Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall held a private tea at Clarence House. The guests were served slices of christening cake which is a tier taken from William and Catherine's 2011 wedding cake.

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'What a gift'

In a short video posted on his website Welby spoke of the significance of the baby prince's baptism which will see him join the family of the church numbering almost 2 billion people around the world.

Welby said any christening was a moment for the parents to celebrate the birth of their child royal or not.

All babies are unbelievably special not only royal babies he said.

But Prince George's christening does carry an extra significance he said.

As a nation we are celebrating the birth of someone who in due course will be the head of state. That's extraordinary. It gives you this sense of forward looking of the forwardness of history as well as the backwardness of history and what a gift to have this new life and to look forward.

As with any other infant's baptism Welby marked the Prince with the sign of the cross on his forehead and splash water on his head.

The silver font used for George's baptism has been used for every royal christening since 1841 and will be filled with water from the River Jordan.

The 3 month old boy has already made history. He's the first royal baby to be honored with a christening coin from the Royal Mint.

The design of the coins produced by the mint in a range of sizes and materials has been approved by his parents and the Queen the Royal Mint said.

The public can buy the keepsakes which start at 13 pounds ($21) for the simplest type but rise to a whopping 50 000 pounds ($80 000) for a version containing a kilogram of gold.

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Service details

Prince George's christening ceremony included two hymns two lessons and two anthems according to Kensington Palace.

Prince Harry read him a lesson form John 15 1 5 and his aunt Pippa Middleton read Luke 18 15 17.

The music started with a processional Bach's Fantasia in G played on organ.

The Choir of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal made up of six men and 10 boys sang the anthem Blessed Jesu Here we Stand which was written for the baptism of baby George's father Prince William in 1982.

The second anthem was The Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter.

The newest royal also heard the hymns Breathe on Me Breathe on God and Be Thou My Vision before the organ played the recessional which was C.W. Widor's Toccata from Symphony No. 5.

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