uch an important role to play!
When the time comes to select a godparent for their newborn child, royal parents often look to members of other monarchies to take on the important role.
From Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, who has been called the “Godmother of Europe” for her legion of godchildren, to Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Queen, the world’s royal families are forever connected by the bonds of baptism.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank held a joint royal christening for their son, August, with Mike and Zara Tindall’s third child, Lucas, in Windsor in November 2021.
While it’s not been confirmed who the tots’ godparents are, Harry’s ex Cressida Bonas and Zara’s friend, Natalie Pinkham, were among the guests.
Prince William
A young Prince William became godfather to Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece on 15 April 1999 in London – and even attended the christening with his arm in a sling following a rugby injury!
The Greek prince’s other godparents are Prince Nikolaos, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, King Felipe of Spain, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Alexandra zu Fürstenberg, and Mrs Doris Robbs.
Prince Harry
In March 2019, the Duke of Sussex became a godfather to his cousin Zara Tindall’s second daughter Lena. He was pictured at her christening, which was held at St Nicholas Church in Cherington, Gloucestershire.
In April 2017, Harry opened up about how he practices being a dad with his godchildren – he is also a godfather to his friends’ children.
“I’m a godfather to quite a few of my friends’ [kids],” he said. “Um, actually only five or six.”
He added: “I think the key to that is to grow up, but also to be able to stay in touch with your childhood side. If that means going to someone’s house and sitting there and playing PlayStation and kicking the ass of their son on or whatever it is, then I’ll try and do that. I’ve actually had a lot of practice for that.”
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The late Queen
The late Queen was godmother to Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, whose baptism was held in October 1983 in London.
Along with the Queen, Theodora’s godparents also include Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, former King Michael I of Romania, and former Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia.
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Zara Tindall
Prince William’s cousin Zara Tindall is godmother to his and Princess Kate’s elder son Prince George, who was christened in the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace in October 2013.
Zara, daughter of Princess Anne, filled the role alongside George’s fellow godparents: Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, Earl Grosvenor, Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson and William van Cutsem, one of William’s oldest and dearest friends.
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Prince Philip
The late Duke of Edinburgh was godfather to Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark, and was accompanied to the christening in London in 1986 by the late Princess Diana.
Other attendees included Philippos’ parents King Constantine and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain and the baby’s siblings Crown Prince Pavlos, Princess Alexia, and Prince Nikolaos.