TRH The Duke and Duchess of CambridgeAs Prince George's christening rapidly approaches, new details are starting to emerge about the big day.
A press rep for Prince William and Kate Middleton tells E! News that the Oct. 23 christening will "be a private and intimate family event."
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace representatives have informed us that while "a guest list will be released nearer the time" of the ceremony, it has been confirmed that Princess Anne and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, will not be there.
As for what the Duke of Cambridge's aunts will be doing instead?
The Countess of Wessex is scheduled to open the new Girlguiding Residential Lodge in Somerset before attending a Festival Concert at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in Exeter, Devon, according to the Palace. She will then visit the NSPCC Service Centre in Bristol and finally open the Healing Foundation Cleft Gene Bank and Cohort Study, also in Bristol.
Princess Anne will be in Canada on that day, where she will visit the Canadian Forces Medical Services Training Centre.
When it comes to the christening, a royal source tells E! News, "William and Kate are going to do things differently, and actually, their families are respectful of that. This won't be a case of a big rift. Christenings are not state occasions. They're private affairs and can be as big or intimate as the parents desire."
It was on Sept. 27 that the official announcement was made about the christening, which will take place at The Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace.
And while it remains to be seen who will wind up being George's six godparents, The Sun did report in August that William and Kate have asked good friend Guy Pelly to be one of the godfathers.
Several other names have been thrown around as possible contenders including William's longtime pal Thomas van Straubenzee, Kate's friend Alicia Fox-Pitt and, of course, George's aunt and uncle, Pippa Middleton and Prince Harry.