Prince Louis’ christening was dripping in royal tradition – one of which saw guests fed 7-year-old cake.
Guests who attended the royal affair on Monday were served tea and fruit cake, which was originally baked and served at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011.
British custom is to serve the wedding cake each time a child of the couple is christened.
This means that Kate and William have eaten their wedding cake on four separate occasions!
Designed by Fiona Cairns, William and Kate’s wedding cake was made up by 17 individual fruit cakes and had eight tiers. The cake was decorated with over 900 flowers and leaves using cream and white icing.
The cake’s garlands around the middle were chosen to match the details of the room where it was displayed for the wedding, the Picture Gallery in Buckingham Palace.
In addition to the cake, Prince Louis’s christening gown was also recycled.
The intricate lace gown is a royal family heirloom – a replica of the original worn by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s eldest daughter, Victoria, during her baptism.
The couple commissioned the gown in 1841, and used the same fabrics from the Queen’s wedding dress the previous year – Spitalfields silk and Honiton lace.
After being worn by 62 royal babies, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William, the gown was deemed too fragile to wear, so a replica was created to continue the tradition.
There were also several more royal traditions adhered to at the royal christening.
Just like Prince George and Princess Beatrice, Prince Louis was christened at the Chapel Royal in St James’ Palace in London. Though royal christening’s usually occur in Buckingham Palace, the chapel has a special place in the monarchy, having housed several important occasions.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert wed in the chapel, and the heart of Queen Mary is buried inside.
Recently, Meghan Markle was baptised in the chapel ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry, while Kate Middleton was confirmed there before she wed Prince William.
It’s also where the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales laid for a week before her burial.
The little prince was also christened in the Lily Font, a silver gilt font and bowl decorated in lilies, ivy and cherubs.
The vessel has been used by the British monarchy since 1841, when Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Victoria was christened. When not in use, it is found inside the Tower of London.
Princess Eugenie is the only one of Queen Elizabeth II’s children and grandchildren not to be baptised in the Lily Font; hers was a public christening instead.
Related: All the gorgeous pictures from Prince Louis’ royal christening
Related: Princess Charlotte adorably tells off photographers at royal christening
Related: Why the Queen and Prince Philip did not attend the royal christening
