On 21st May 1867, Prince Christian Victor, son of Princess Helena and grandson of Queen Victoria, was baptised in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.
“Pouring with rain & very cold. – Had rather a bad head ache but rested quietly in my room. – At a little before 1 all assembled for the Christening & I saw Lenchen a moment before. She was dressed in lilac. The Arch Bishop of Canterbury, & the Deans of Windsor & Westminster officiated. The Sponsors were Bertie & I, & the following Proxies: Louise, for Vicky, Affie for Ernest Coburg, Arthur, for Christian’s father, & Jane Churchill, for Feodore. After a wait of a few minutes in the White Drawing room, we proceeded to the Chapel, where Lenchen, Christian, Beatrice, Leopold, Augusta & Fritz Strelitz, & Adolphus, George C., Edward Weimar, Franz Teck, Victor, the Aumales & the sisters, had already taken their places. The Hymn “In life’s gay morn, ere sprightly youth”, (composed by dearest Albert) was sung at the commencement of the service & then the Baby, in a beautiful robe of Irish lace, given by me, was carried in by the nurse, conducted by Ly Susan Melville. I took the child & gave it to the Arch Bishop, naming it Christian, Victor, Albert, Ludwig, Ernest, Arthur. He will be called Christian Victor. […]
Collection Trust / ©️ HM King Charles III 2024
[…] Another Hymn concluded the service, after which everyone went into the Green Drawing room & the Baby was shown. He was so good, sleeping nearly the whole time, & never crying at all. – After talking for a little while, there was a family luncheon in the Oak Room. Sat between Fritz Strelitz & Christian, the former in a kind little speech, proposing, at dessert the health of the dear Baby & its Parents. Left all the guests after luncheon & Bertie & Affie afterwards come to my room & talked, & the latter come back later to take leave, as he goes to Paris tomorrow on his way to Marseilles, where he will embark on his long voyage to Australia, &c. He was moved to tears when I wished him goodbye & gave him my earnest blessing. May God protect him body & soul & bring him back safe & sound. It is always very sad to part for such a long time & going such a great distance. – Drove with Leopold & Baby to the Mausoleum, where I longed to go on this day, then we walked to Frogmore where we visited Lenchen. Bitterly cold. – Cts Blücher, the Dss of Atholl (come into waiting today). Lucy Kerr & Emily Cathcart dined. -”
