The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-05-08 00:00:00

ROYAL CHRISTEN ING.

The Queen was present on Saturday at th 4, chris-
. .

tening of the infant daughter of the Duie,and Duchess
of Connaught, in Bagshot Church, Surrey, the cere-
monial, which was of a priva'n character, being at-
tended by several other members of the Royal family.
Her Majesty, accompanied by Prince and Princess
Henry of Battenberg, left Windsor Castle about
noon, and drove to Bagshot Mansien, where she was
received by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the
rest of the guests likewise meeting at the resfdence,
and proceeding thence to the church, near which, the
weather being very fine, a number of the villagers had
assembled. The interior of the sacred building was
still adorned with its Easter decorations, while the
chancel was tastefully decked with groups of arum
lilies, foliage plants, deutzias, and daisies. On the
south-eastern side, near the communion-rail, a chair
and footstool had been provided for her Majesty's use,
and upon a low pedestal on the middle of the chancel
pavement stood an elegantly designed font, a silver-
gilt chalice surrounded by water-lilies and supported
by three Cueide. The font, which was brought
from Windsor Castle for the christening, is said
to have been used at the baptism of several mem-
bers of the Royal Family. At one o'clock the bells
rang out, summoning the compsny to the churce.
The first to arrive were Prince and Princess Chris-
tian, who had driven frans Cumberland Lodge, and
alighted at the north door. They were followed by
Prince Arthur and Princess Margaret of Connaught,
the former wearing a Highland suit and the little
Princess a pale blue silk dress. Lady Adela Larking,
Sir Howard Elphinstone, Major Egerton, and others
arrived directly afterwares. The Duke and Duchess
of Connaught drove to the church with the Heredi-
tary Grand Duke and Duchess of Oldenburg. The
Duchess of Connaught, who was attired in a very
elegant costume, and wore a small bouquet of lilies
of the valley, looked remarkably well and quite
convalescent. The Queen, attended by Lady Water-
park and General Sir John came next,
with Prince and Princess Henry of Battenbure, in an
open carriage drawn by four horses, and preceded by
an outrider. tier Majesty, on entering the porch, was
received by Mr. Wateter and Colonel Mallock, the
churchwardens, and conducted up the nave to her
seat opposite the memorial window to the late Duke
of Albany. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the
Prince and Princess Christian, Prince and Princess
Henry of Batteneerg, and the Hereditary Grand Duke
and Duchess of Oldenburg bccupied the adjacent pews.
One of the sponsors was the German Crown Prince,
represented by Count Hatzfeldt. The -Vicar of Bag-
shot was also present. The Bishop of Winchester
officiated, the Royal infant, apparelled in a handsome
christening robe, being given by Lady Adela Larking
to the Queen, who, as principal sponsor, handed it
to the prelate, the latter naming the princess Victoria
Patricia Helena Elizabeth, the second name being
given in consequence of her Royal Highness having
been borne on St. Patrick's Day. The Queen and
Princes and Princesses quitted the church imme-
diately after the ceremony, the bells again pealing as
the Royal party drove across the park to the mansion,
where they were entertained by the Duke and Duchess
of Connaught. Her Majesty left Baphot shortly
after fcur 'clock, and returned by road to Windsor
Castle.