© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Louis is due to celebrate a very important milestone soon – his christening! A Kensington Palace statement has revealed: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce that the christening of Prince Louis will take place on Monday 9th July at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. Prince Louis will be christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby."
George was also baptised in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace in London, pictured here back in 2013, while Charlotte's christening took place in Sandringham Church. Louis will be two and a half months old - a similar age to when his siblings were baptised.
As the christening approaches, let's take a look back at other royal baby celebrations…
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William and Kate's daughter was christened on 5 July 2015 at Sandringham's St. Mary Magdalene Church, where Princess Diana was also baptised. In a ceremony steeped in tradition, Charlotte wore the same beautiful lace christening gown that her older brother Prince George wore for his ceremony a couple of years before. The Honiton lace christening gown is a replica of the original made for Queen Victoria's daughter in 1841.
© Photo: Getty ImagesGeorge had a cheeky peek at his baby sister before going into the church.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William's high spirits at his brother Harry's christening in 1984 reduced everyone to giggles. This group picture was taken after the service in St George's Chapel, Windsor, performed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrincess Eugenie's christening took place on 23 December 1990 in Sandringham, Norfolk nine months after her birth. The service was conducted at St Mary Magdalene Church and was delayed so that her father Prince Andrew, a naval flight commander at the time, could be present. As a result the service was open to the public – a first for such an event. Christenings in the British royal family are usually private events.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Alexander of Sweden shared the limelight with his older cousin Prince Oscar at his christening on 9 September 2016. The youngsters, who were born one month apart, were the picture of cuteness as they were held by their mums, Crown Princess Victoria (left) and Princess Sofia (right).
© Photo: Getty ImagesDoting mother-of-two Princess Sofia looked gorgeous at her son Prince Gabriel's christening, wearing traditional Swedish costume.Â
© Photo: Getty ImagesCrown Prince Frederik and his Australian-born wife Princess Mary had their son Prince Christian baptised in 2006. As is customary in the Danish royal family, the baby's name was not announced until the christening day.
© Photo: Getty ImagesMary was visibly emotional at the christening, comforting her baby boy with her little finger.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe following year, Mary and Frederik's daughter Princess Isabella was christened.
© Photo: Getty ImagesIn April 2011, the couple's twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine had their moment in the spotlight. Prince Vincent's Brussels lace robe, made in 1870, was worn by both of his older siblings, Princess Isabella and Prince Christian, his father and his grandmother Queen Margrethe. Princess Josephine wore a robe dating back to 1940 when it was given to her great-grandmother Queen Ingrid.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William attended the christening of Prince Constantine, grandson of the deposed Greek king, in London in 1999. The family are great friends with the British royals, so it's no wonder that William was asked to be a godfather. William, who was 16 at the time, noticeably had his arm in a sling following an injury.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Albert and Princess Charlene celebrated their children's christening on 10 May 2015. The royal twins, Jacques and Gabriella, were baptised in style at the Monaco Cathedral wearing Dior christening gowns. The babies' mother appeared to be overcome with emotion, wiping away a tear as she listened to the choir singing hymns during the ceremony.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrincess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill's first child Leonore was christened on their one-year wedding anniversary, 8 June 2014, and two days before her mother's 32nd birthday. As is tradition in the Swedish royal family, Leonore was baptised at Drottningholm Palace.
© Photo: Getty ImagesTheir second child, Prince Nicolas, was baptised on 11 October 2015 in the Royal Chapel of Drottningholm Palace. Baby Nicolas, who slept for the majority of the service, wore the same gown as his sister Leonore, but was wrapped up in a blanket for extra warmth.
© Photo: Getty ImagesTheir third child, Princess Adrienne, was also baptised on her parents' wedding anniversary. Adrienne was as good as gold, sharing the spotlight with big sister Leonore who went barefoot after the ceremony.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrincess Anne holds her son Peter Phillips in 1977, with the Queen looking on proudly.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Charles and Princess Diana showed off their baby boy William in 1982.The future King was baptised on a very special date – the Queen Mother's birthday on 4 August. William was two months old.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrincess Estelle, the daughter of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, was christened in front of an array of European royals on 22 May 2012 at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm. Estelle's status as a future monarch was reflected in her list of godparents, which included Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and her maternal uncle Prince Carl Philip.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCrown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel's second child Prince Oscar was christened on 27 May 2016 at Stockholm's Royal Palace Chapel.
Oscar's christening gown, which was previously worn by his mother and sister Princess Estelle, is made of cotton batiste and bobbin lace and features a petticoat of satin woven silk.
© Photo: Getty ImagesAn aerial view of Princess Amalia's christening. The little girl, who is the eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, is the future monarch of the Netherlands.
© Photo: Getty ImagesIt was her younger sister Princess Alexia's turn in November 2005, with Maxima keeping her daughter entertained as she had water poured over her.Â
© Photo: Getty ImagesQueen Maxima cradled her youngest daughter Princess Ariane at her 2007 christening, while sisters Amalia and Alexia looked adorable in matching purple dresses.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe year before, Felipe and Letizia watched as baptismal water was poured over the head of their daughter Leonor in 2006.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKing Felipe and his wife Queen Letizia celebrated their daughter Princess Sofia's christening in 2007, although big sister Leonor ensured all eyes were on her at the outdoor ceremony.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Felix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg's daughter Amalia was baptised at the Saint Ferreol Chapel in Lorgues, France on 12 July 2014. The beaming mum coordinated with her daughter in a beautiful white dress. Félix's younger sister Princess Alexandra was chosen as the godmother while Claire's older brother, also named Felix, was the godfather.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLittle Princess Athena, the couple's second child, was christened in May 2012, when she was four months old.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark's son Prince Henrik was named after his grandfather, who sadly passed away in February 2018.
© Photo: Getty ImagesIt was a full house at Princess Eléonore of Belgium's christening. The little girl, who is fourth-in-line to the throne, was held by her mother Queen Mathilde, while her siblings Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel and Prince Emmanuel all watched on. She was baptised in June 2008 in the chapel of Ciergnon Castle in the Belgian Ardennes. Her godparents are Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Claire of Belgium, and Count Sébastien von Westphalen zu Fürstenberg, who were all in attendance.
