Prince William and Kate Middleton reveal Prince Louis' christening date - and it has a special meaning

Prince Louis will be christened next month. 

Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince William and Duchess Catherine's eight-week-old son will be christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at St James’s Palace, London, on July 9. 

A post on the Palace's official Twitter account reads: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce that the christening of Prince Louis will take place on Monday 9th July at The Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London.

"Prince Louis will be christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby."

The date holds a special meaning for the Royal Family as it is the same date that the young Prince's great-grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip announced their engagement - exactly 71 years ago om 1947.

• READ MORE: It turns out we've been pronouncing Prince Louis' name wrong 

Last month, Kensington Palace released the first official pictures of Catherine and William's newborn, who was born on April 23, and the couple admitted they were "very pleased" to share the snaps. 

A Kensington Palace tweet read: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share two photographs of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, taken by The Duchess at Kensington Palace.

"The Duke and Duchess would like to thank members of the public for their kind messages following the birth of Prince Louis, and for Princess Charlotte's third birthday."

Louis was born at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London's Paddington, on St George's Day, weighing 8lb 7oz.

Catherine - who also has four-year-old son Prince George and three-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte with William - recently admitted she "cherishes" spending quality time with her family. 

She said: "Spending quality time together is such an important aspect of family life and for me, as a mother, it is the simple family moments like playing outside together that I cherish."

- Bang! Showbiz