The Prince of Wales is flying ‘five or six dozen bottles’ of Holy water taken from the River Jordan back to the UK for royal baptisms – which could include that of Lilibet, the grand-daughter he has never met.
As they began a hectic tour of the Middle East, the heir to the throne (73) and his wife, The Duchess Of Cornwall (74), were given the honor of getting their hands in the waters where Jesus was baptised.
It is now clear that Charles will bring with him on his return flight this week, a shipment of vials containing water for royal future christenings.
The Prince of Wales is expected to return ‘five to six dozen’ bottles of Holy Water from Jordan after his fast-paced trip to Middle East. (Photo taken near Jordan River on their first day in Jordan).
Prince Charles, dressed in a grey suit and bent over to dip his fingers into the Jordan River.
The tradition dictates that Royal Babies are welcomed into the Church with water taken from the site where Jesus was baptized using John the Baptist’s ornate Lily Font.
The Prince of Wales is the only one who can bring back the water.
Asked about members of the Royal Family being baptised with water from such a revered Christian site, the Director General of the Baptism Site, Rustom Mkhjian, told the Daily Mail: ‘You are absolutely right. This time, the Embassy requested a couple of dozen. [bottles]We provided Holy water to them and they received five, six, and a dozen each, before this trip.
He said he was not aware exactly who they would be used for, explaining: ‘I didn’t know, I didn’t want to ask. They said they wanted the baptisms to take place later. Future baptisms, yes.’
Today, the Prince of Wales (and the Duchess) of Cornwall, dipped their hands in holy River Jordan water which is used for royal baptisms
Then they bent down and each dipped their fingers in (pictured) before walking carefully back up the path to sign a visitor’s book
Other children set to be christened are Princess Beatrice’s new daughter, Sienna Elizabeth.
Although her older brother, Archie, was baptised in a secret ceremony at Windsor Castle with water from the River Jordan, it is not known when or where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new daughter will be christened.
A spokesman for Harry & Meghan stated that nothing was finalized in October, even though there had been speculation they might return to the UK to introduce Lilibet and their family.
Mr Mkhjian said the water would last indefinitely, adding proudly: ‘It is pure water blessed from the spot where Jesus was baptised. It is holy and blessed from this particular spot in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.’
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Crown Prince Hussein, and the Prince of Wales are greeted at Al Husseiniya Palace Amman (Jordan) on their first day of the Middle East Tour
This evening, Camilla changed into an elegant white dress to attend a dinner at the Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman with Queen Rania, right
According to a senior royal aide, the water was collected and will be returned to the UK via the royal flight.
Charles and Camilla’s trip to Jordan and, later this week, Egypt is the first full scale official tour for a member of the Royal Family for almost two years because of the Covid pandemic.
The couple flew into Amman, the Jordanian capital, on the UK government’s official RAF Voyager plane which was, for the first time, using ‘green’ sustainable aviation fuel made from extracting waste oils from crops, cooking, forestry and paper manufacturing and mixing it with kerosene.
It can cut a plane’s carbon emissions by as much as 70 to 80 per cent over its life cycle.
Rania looked stunning in her cream kaftan, embellished with gemstones and the belt.
The Duchess Of Conrwall was led inside by the elegant Queen from Jordan. She had a stunning look and was accompanied by the Duke of Conrwall
The elegant, floor-length cream dress that the Duchess of Cornwall wore had long sleeves and was perfectly matched with her silver clutch.
The Prince of Wales looked sharp in a black suit, crisp white shirt and a pink tie and pocket square, as he was greeted by King Abdullah II ahead of a dinner
Camilla was beaming as she made her journey to the glittering dinner. As she held on to her gown, she revealed a pair golden heels.
Their visit to the UNESCO protected baptism site was one of their highlights. It has been recognized by the major Christian Church leaders and is now considered as one of three most important Christian sites, alongside Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem.
Jordanian residents have taken great pride at the meticulous excavation of this area. Most of it is left the same as when Christ was there, and the couple used electric-powered golf buggies to get around.
He also participated in an interfaith discussion about religion tolerance and the environment. Faith leaders asked him to pray for the Queen.
As they arrived at Al Husseiniya Palace, Amman (Jordan), the Prince of Wales and Duchess Cornwall looked happy.
Camilla and Queen Rania visited later the Queen Rania Children and Family Centre in Amman
The couple walked together gingerly along some steps that were well-worn and up a steep path to the water. There they sat for a while in silent reflection.
Camilla followed suit, and the royals paused to take a moment for reflection.
The Duchess of Cornwall was seen bending down and dipping her fingers in water from the holy River Jordan which is used to baptise royal babies
The legendary beauty Queen Rania, of Jordan, provided glamour for Charles and Camilla, along with King Abdullah II.
Queen Rania (51) was striking in her white gown with matching gold belt and bag. Camilla (74) was wearing a Fiona Clare, blue Fiona Clare outfit.
Later she took the wheel of an electric Tesla to drive the duchess to visit a children’s centre that has helped hundreds of youngsters from Jordanian, Palestinian and Syrian backgrounds, and hundreds of refugees, with holistic therapies to combat the stress of gender based violence.
In the evening, Camilla and Charles performed an outfit change and looked an elegant pair as they attended a state dinner in their honour at Husseiniya Palace in Amma.
Charles and Camilla’s tour has taken place at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth to strengthen bi-lateral ties and highlight climate change crisis concerns.
In their late 70s, both are expected to pack more than thirty engagements in the days ahead.
Prince Charles and Duchess Cornwall left the Jordan River site, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.
As Camilla, the Duchess Of Cornwall looks on, Prince of Wales signs guest books (pictured).
Royal visitors received a tour and had the chance to spend a quiet moment in John the Baptist’s cave.
Prince Charles signed the guestbook when he visited Camilla’s baptism site at al-Maghtas.
As they made their way down the steps towards the riverbed, the royal couple held hands
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visiting the baptism site of al-Maghtas, where Jesus is believed by Christians to have been baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan river
Charles and Camilla flew helicopter from London to visit one of Jordan’s most significant religious sites. They were then given the honor of going down to the riverbed, where Jesus Christ is said to have been baptized (pictured).