Prince Louis to be baptised on 9 July

Prince Louis, the third child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is to be baptised on 9 July, Kensington Palace has announced.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will conduct the christening at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London.

Louis Arthur Charles - to give him his full name - was born on 23 April.

The good news for his football-loving dad, Prince William, is that 9 July is one of the rest days in the World Cup.

It falls neatly between the potential quarter-final and semi-final dates for England, should the team progress that far in the competition.

Last month, the prince, who is president of the FA, had to miss the FA Cup final to fulfil best man duties at his brother Harry's wedding.

Prince Louis will be baptised at the same place as his older brother George. Their sister, Charlotte, had her christening at St Mary Magdalene Church at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Godparents: Who do William and Kate pick?

In the past, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have mostly chosen close friends rather than royal relatives to fulfil the godparent role.

For Prince George they chose:

• Julia Samuel, a friend of Princess Diana

• Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, former private secretary to the couple

• William's childhood friend William van Cutsem

• Zara Tindall, William's cousin

• Emilia Jardine-Paterson, interior designer and school friend of Kate

• Earl Grosvenor, son of the Duke of Westminster

• Oliver Baker, a friend from St Andrews University where the couple met

And for Princess Charlotte:

• Adam Middleton, Kate's cousin

• William's cousin Lady Laura Fellowes

• And friends of the couple Thomas van Straubenzee, James Meade and Sophie Carter.

The godparents are announced on the morning of the christening and the gown - a replica of the one made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter - was created by Queen Elizabeth's dresser Angela Kelly.

The original Honiton lace and white satin robe, made in 1841, was used up until 2004 after which it became too delicate to be worn.

Water used to wet the baby's head comes from the River Jordan - where John the Baptist is said to have baptised Jesus.

Guests to the christening can expect to be served a slice of William and Kate's wedding cake - a fruit cake designed by Fiona Cairns.

Princess Charlotte was baptised at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham