If there was a tick list of ‘something old, something new’ when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge planned two-month-old Princess Charlotte’s Royal Christening, we think they scored top marks. The beautiful ceremony was, for all intent purposes, traditional, but with modern touches.
Princess Charlotte wore a replica of the Royal Christening Robe, arriving in the royal pram that was also used for Prince Andrew and Prince Edward in the sixties, and paid homage to the little Princess’ late Grandmother, Princess Diana – featuring the same music played at Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1981. The late designer Alexander McQueen was also honoured with The Duchess of Cambridge wearing a McQueen coat dress. Fashion and celebrity photographer, Mario Testino, who was Princess Diana’s favourite photographer, was given the official photography duties.
Here’s your right Royal wrap-up of the cutest Royal event for the year…
The Baptism
The baptism was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The christening was held at the same church that Princess Diana was baptised at, St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
To read the Archbishop of Caterbury’s full homily, visit here
The Gown
Princess Charlotte’s Royal Christening Robe was made of fine Honiton lace and lined with white satin. The hand-made replica of the Royal Christening Robe was made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen. The original was first worn by the Queen’s grandson, Viscount Severn, in 1841, and by all of her great grandchildren since.
The Outfits
Prince George wore red tailored shorts and a white and red pin tucked shirt suit. Almost identical to the outfit his Dad, Prince William, wore when he met his newborn brother, Prince Harry, for the first time.
The Duchess of Cambridge swapped her high street fashion for the late designer Alexander McQueen, opting for a tailored cream dress coat. Both Kate and her sister, Pippa, wore hats designed by milliner Jane Taylor.
Prince William wore a navy blue suit with a rose coloured tie and tie pin.
The Queen chose florals, with a printed floral silk dress and rose coloured jacket.
The Godparents
The five Godparents announced include Princess Diana’s niece, The Hon. Laura Fellowes, Miss Sophie Carter, Mr. James Meade, Mr. Adam Middleton, and Mr. Thomas van Straubenzee. All are friends or family of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Music
Several compositions were chosen at the christening, including Vaughan Williams’ Prelude on Rhosymedre, which was played as processional organ music for the Duke and Duchess’s wedding at Westminster Abbey.
The Pram
Princess Charlotte arrived in the same Millson pram that was used by the Queen for her two youngest children, Princes Andrew and Edward.
The Christening After-Party
Following the service, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted tea at Sandringham House. Guests were served slices of christening cake, which was a tier taken from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cake.
Princess Diana Tribute
As well as Princess Diana’s niece being named as a Godparent, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose world-renowned photographer Mario Testino to take the official christening photographs – Princess Diana’s favourite photographer. The composition, Vaughan Williams’ Prelude on Rhosymedre, also featured at Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s Westminster Abbey wedding in 1981.
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