The Queen and Prince Philip will not attend their great-grandson Prince Louis’ christening on Monday afternoon.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Her Majesty, 92, and The Duke of Edinburgh, 97, will not be present at The Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace, but said it was not related to any health issues.
A spokesperson told BBC News the decision not to attend had been made “some time ago”.
The Queen’s had a busy period of engagements recently, and it’s believed she’s travelling back to London from Norfolk on Monday.
She has another busy week coming up, including President Trump’s visit to the UK and the centenary of the RAF.
Prince Philip retired from public duties last year and only occasionally joins The Queen at public events.
Read more: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announce Prince Louis’ godparents
The guest list for Louis’ christening has been kept very small, with just a handful of close friends and family invited.
The only senior members of the royal family in attendance will be The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, will be present, alongside her sister Pippa and husband James Matthews, and brother James.
All six of Louis’ godparents and their spouses will be there.
The godparents are:
Miss Lucy Middleton, Kate’s cousin
Mr Nicholas van Cutsem, William’s childhood friend; his brother, William, is godparent to Prince George.
Mr Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, the couple’s close friend
The Lady Laura Meade, the couple’s close friend; her husband, James Meade, went to school with William, was an usher at the Cambridges’ wedding and is godparent to Princess Charlotte.
Mrs Robert Carter, the couple’s close friend; she went to school with Kate and her sister-in-law, Sophie, is godparent to Princess Charlotte.
Mr Guy Pelly, William’s close friend
Some royal fans had expected to see Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex among the godparents, after she married William’s younger brother, Prince Harry, in May, but she has not been included among the six.
However, Harry is not a godparent to any of William and Kate’s children, either.
Prince George has seven godparents, while Princess Charlotte has five.
Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge ,who is fifth in line to the throne, was born on April 23 at the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, just like his big brother Prince George, four, and big sister Princess Charlotte, three.
He has not been seen in public since William and Kate left the hospital with him, so excitement is building among royal fans, eager to catch a new glimpse of the little one at Monday’s christening.
Prince Louis will wear the handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by The Queen’s dressmaker, Angela Kelly.
Water from the River Jordan will be used during the baptism at The Lily Font.
Prince George was also christened at The Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace, while Charlotte was christened at the Church of St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will host a private tea party at Clarence House following the christening, where guests will be treated to christening cake made from a tier of the couple’s wedding cake.
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