Royal Revelers In West Village Celebrate Prince George's Christening
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A royal family affair drew the attention of the world once again as Prince William and Kate baptized their son Wednesday in London.
Little Prince George arrived at St. James's with his parents wearing a lace, silk and satin gown for his baptism.
Prince William and Kate opted for a small, family affair which included their parents, siblings and Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Williams' brother, Prince Harry, and Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, read from the bible during the ceremony and a choir sang "Breathe on Me, Breath of God'' and "Be Thou My Vision.''
No television cameras were allowed in the chapel for the 45-minute ceremony.
PHOTOS: Prince George's Christening
Just one chosen photographer snapped the only pictures of the future king being splashed with water from the River Jordan.
The palace will release photographs from the private event on Thursday. For the first time in more than 100 years, four generations of the royal family will be photographed together.
The duke and duchess have named seven godparents for their little prince, including old friends from school, CBS 2's Alphonso Van Marsh reported.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said it was a huge honor to baptize the third in line to the British throne.
"What a gift to have this new life and to look forward," said Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
Royal fans camped outside the palace and brought cakes, balloons and banners to mark the special day.
The event also marked the first time in more than 100 years that four generations of the royal family were photographed together.
The excitement over Wednesday's ceremony spilled all the way across the pond to the West Village, where CBS 2's Amy Dardashtian caught up with loyal royal watchers in an area known as "Little London."
Many say Prince George's christening is another happy chapter in the royal couple's storybook tale.
"You look at this fantastic young man whose mother was taken from him while he was so young, but she really instilled in him a sense of normalcy," one man said.
"I hope the boy is happy when he's older," said Greenwich Village resident Audrey Kavanagh-Dowsett.
The low-key details of the christening reminded many royal watchers of Princess Diana's down-to-earth legacy. The duke and duchess had the ceremony at the chapel where she rested before her burial.
"It personalizes it a lot more and I think people will appreciate that," one woman said.
"My kid was asking me when George is old enough will he have royal tutors and I said, No, no, he'll probably go to school,'" said Nicky Perry, owner of the specialty shop Tea & Sympathy.
But Will and Kate still stay true to the traditional frills and spoils, dressing their little one in a replica of a christening gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, adding the pomp and circumstance that makes for the best of both worlds.
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