英伦广角 2013-10-26 乔治小王子穿“蕾丝裙”受洗 不哭不闹

 -A few months ago, millions of people around the world celebrated¹ the birth of Prince George, extraordinary reactions all over the world. Now we're celebrating the next huge important moment, which is his christening.And this the Chapel² Royal at St James' Palace, where archbishop of the Canterbury will baptize Prince George on Wednesday in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's closest family and friends.

 

-I'll mark Prince George with the sign of the cross on his forehead. I'll splash water on the head of Prince George three times, by which we understand that this person belongs to God.

 

The Chapel Royal has been the setting for historical royal occasions ever since the reign³ of Henry VIII, such as the marriage of Queen Victoria in 1840. It will be beneath the ornate Hans Holbein ceiling, where the future supreme⁴ governor of the Church of England will be christened George Alexander Louis. 

 

-Being baptized meant you join the family of church, almost 2,000 million people around the world. What a family!  

 

But it's a family that is dwindling⁵ in size. Barely half of the number of baptisms take place today, compared to a time when Prince Charles was christened at the Buckingham Palace, but it's not an altogether worrying trend, argue some.

 

-My experience as a baptist is that people have the need to coming forward to have the child christened. They tend to be more sincere. They tend to be a genuine interest in faith. And I always think, be honest with your newborn child, in front of your newborn child is a good thing.

 

The Reverend Sally Hitchenet has worked with Justin Welby and knows William and Kate will be in very safe hands.

 

-He's actually quite normal. He's very makes of joke when things are funny. He's not afraid to do smile if something goes wrong. I would imagine his welcome will be very warm, very personal.

 

And no doubt uplifting, at time when parenthood may still seem a little daunting⁶. 

 

-My message to them would be what a treat! What an amazing gift! What wonderful times that you will have!

 

Paul Harrison, Sky News, St James' Palace.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 chapel   

n.小教堂，殡仪馆

参考例句：

• The nimble hero,skipped into a chapel that stood near.敏捷的英雄跳进近旁的一座小教堂里。
• She was on the peak that Sunday afternoon when she played in chapel.那个星期天的下午，她在小教堂的演出，可以说是登峰造极。

3 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

4 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

5 dwindling   

adj.逐渐减少的v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The number of wild animals on the earth is dwindling. 地球上野生动物的数量正日渐减少。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He is struggling to come to terms with his dwindling authority. 他正努力适应自己权力被削弱这一局面。 来自辞典例句

6 daunting   

adj.使人畏缩的

参考例句：

• They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。
• Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。