The christening ceremony took place at St James's Palace in central London in front of just 22 guests, including the immediate families of the parents, and the seven godparents. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, performed the ceremony.

Prince William and his wife Kate - the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - showed George off to waiting cameras as they arrived and left the building, but allowed only one official photographer into the palace's chapel. George was wearing a long cream satin robe that was a replica of an 1841 gown made for the christening of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter.

George was born on July 22.

After the ceremony, George's grandfather Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, duchess of Cornwall, hosted a private tea.

The occasion also saw the creation of a historic photograph, showing a reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and three direct heirs, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George. The last such photograph was shot in 1894 and showed Queen Victoria also with three direct heirs.

The official portraits from Wednesday's christening are to be released on Thursday.

tj/rc (dpa, Reuters)