William Kate Break Royal Protocol Selecting Godparents Prince George

Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol during the christening of their first child, Prince George, in 2013 by deviating from long-standing traditions regarding godparents. Historically, royal children were given six godparents who were strictly royal blood relatives, but Prince George had seven godparents, with only one being a royal family member—William's cousin Zara Tindall, who does not hold a royal title. The other six godparents were close friends of the couple, marking a clear break from tradition and signaling a modern era for the monarchy. Despite this change, many other royal customs were observed, including the use of the historic Lily Font and water from the River Jordan, and George wore a handmade replica of the christening gown worn by Queen Victoria’s daughter. The christening was also notable for being the first in nearly 120 years to feature four generations of the royal family's line of succession in one photograph. This decision reflected the couple's desire to blend tradition with a contemporary approach to royal family practices.