There are a few different accounts of how the ceremony took place. One thing is certain - it was a formal event fit for a baby Princess. Here is a record of the christening:
“The mayor, Sir Stephen Pecock, with his brethren and 40 of the chief citizens, were ordered to be at the christening on the Wednesday following ; on which day the mayor and council, in scarlet, with their collars, rowed to Greenwich, and the citizens went in another barge. All the walls between the King’s place and the Friars were hanged with arras, and the way strewed with rushes. The Friars’ church was also hanged with arras. The font, of silver, stood in the midst of the church three steps high, covered with a fine cloth, and surrounded by gentlewomen with aprons and towels about their necks, that no filth should come into it. Over it hung a crimson satin canopy fringed with gold, and round it was a rail covered with red say. Between the choir and the body of the church was a close place with a pan of fire, to make the child ready in. When the child was brought to the hall every man set forward. The citizens of London, two and two ; then gentlemen, squires, and chaplains, the aldermen, the mayor alone, the King’s council, his chapel, in copes ; barons, bishops, earls ; the earl of Essex bearing the covered gilt
basons ; the marquis of Exeter with a taper of virgin wax. The marquis of Dorset
bare the salt. The lady Mary of Norfolk bare the chrisom, of pearl and stone. The officers of arms. The old duchess of Norfolk bare the child in a mantle of purple velvet, with a long train held by the earl of Wiltshire, the countess of
Kent, and the earl of Derby. The dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk were on each side of the Duchess. A canopy was borne over the child by lord Rochford, lord Hussy, lord William Howard, and lord Thomas Howard the elder. Then ladies and gentlewomen.
The bishop of London and other bishops and abbots met the child at the church door, and christened it. The archbishop of Canterbury was godfather, and the old duchess of Norfolk and the old marchioness of Dorset godmothers. This done, Garter, with a loud voice, bid God send her long life. The archbishop of Canterbury then confirmed her, the marchioness of Exeter being godmother. Then the trumpets blew, and the gifts were given ; after which wafers, comfits, and hypocras were brought in. In going out the gifts were borne before the child, to the Queen’s chamber, by Sir John Dudley, lord Thos. Howard, the younger, lord Fitzwater, and the earl of Worcester. One side was full of the Guard and King’s servants holding 500 staff torches, and many other torches were borne beside the child by gentlemen. The mayor and aldermen were thanked in the King’s name by the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, and after drinking in the cellar went to their barge.”
However, the accounts of what happened after the ceremony vary slightly. Charlese Wriothesley wrote that there were several bonfires throughout London and it was a time for people to be very festive - drinking, partying, and rejoicing in the new Princess. But Eustace Chapuys contradicts this account, saying that the christening of Princess Elizabeth was much like the coronation of her mother - a somber, unwanted event with very little rejoicing.
To the right is a picture of the christening gown that is said to have been worn by Princess Elizabeth on this day. It is now on display at Sudeley Castle in England. Although Anne Boleyn had reportedly wanted Elizabeth's gown to be as grand as possible, wanting the cloths that Katherine of Aragon had brought from Spain, Katherine refused to allow her the cloths, and Henry agreed that Elizabeth should not wear something so grand - (I guess he was still a little bitter...)
So by this time in 1533, England had a newborn and christened Princess Elizabeth. Although it wasn't what they had expected or hoped for, this little girl had quite a grand future laying ahead!