Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church in a vintage pram once used by Princes Andrew and Edward. Photo: EPA
PEOPLEPrincess Charlotte christened at the same church as Diana
Princess Charlotte, the baby daughter of Prince William and his wife Kate, was christened on July 5 with crowds gathered to witness the family’s first public outing together since her birth in May.
The ceremony took place at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, where William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have a country home.
Television pictures showed members of the public clapping, cheering and taking photographs as William and Kate left the church with Britain’s newest royal,who is fourth in line to the throne, and her older brother George.
The princess’s full name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, is a nod to her late grandmother Princess Diana and her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth. The church she was christened in is where Diana was baptised. News reports from the ceremony said it evoked memories of Diana, from the processional music played at Diana and Charles’ wedding in 1981, to having Mario Testino snap the official christening photos.
Crowds looked on as the Cambridges arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church on July 5 for Princess Charlotte’s christening. Photo: AFP
Little Prince George looked close to tears while walking back from the christening, then huffy, then intrigued by his little sister lying in her pram. Photos: Reuters
Charlotte left the church in a black pram pushed by Kate, while the one-year-old George, dressed in bright red shorts and a white embroidered shirt, walked hand-in-hand with his father.
William’s office said the couple had chosen five friends and family members to be Charlotte’s godparents. They are Laura Fellowes (William’s cousin), Adam Middleton (Kate’s cousin), James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee (William’s school chums) and Sophie Carter (Kate’s close friend).
Putting on the style: (From left) Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge holding Princess Charlotte. Photo: EPA
Left: The Lily Font and silver Ewer used at Princess Charlotte’s christening in St Mary Magdalene Church (right) was first used in 1841. The decoration on the font symbolises purity and new life. Photos: Reuters
The christening was conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual head of the Anglican Church, who also oversaw the christening of Prince George.
The princess wore the same christening robe that George had worn. The lace and satin gown, made by Queen Elizabeth’s dressmaker, is a replica of the one first used by the royal family in 1841. The pram, too, was a hand-me-down from the Queen. It was used when Princes Andrew and Edward were little.
After the ceremony, the duke and duchess planned to serve their guests slices of cake from a tier of the couple’s wedding cake, the statement from William’s office said. – REUTERS/William James
