With parents The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and big brother Prince George by her side, Princess Charlotte has been christened in an intimate ceremony at The Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.
Among the guests were The Queen and Prince Philip, along with the new royal’s grandparents, Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall and grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton.
Princess Charlotte looked angelic in a replica of the traditional royal christening gown her brother also wore, as she was pushed into the church by her mum in a stunning vintage stroller. In a sweet touch, the Millson pram was in fact the same one used by The Queen almost 50 years ago for her two sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge looked every part the doting mum and was radiant in an off-white Alexander McQueen coat and matching fascinator, while Prince George was accompanied by his dad, in a very cute red and white number that was almost identical to the one his dad donned when he first met Prince Harry at the Lindo Wing.
After fevered speculation, the fourth-in-line to the British throne’s godparents were finally revealed to be Sophie Carter, James Meade, Adam Middleton, Laura Fellowes and Thomas van Straubenzee who were not far behind the two-month-old.
The ceremony lasted approximately 45 minutes and took place in the county of Norfolk, east of England near the couple’s country home, Anmer Hall, where they have spent most of their time since the princess’ birth on May 2.
The occasion is very much an ode to the tiny royal’s late grandmother Princess Diana, who would have turned 54 just four days earlier.
In a touching tribute, the church where two-month-old Charlotte was baptised is the same location that People’s Princess was christened some 54 years ago.
In another effort to honour the iconic royal’s memory, Prince William and Duchess Catherine have chosen Diana’s most beloved photographer, Mario Testino, to take the official christening portrait as well as asking her niece, William’s cousin, to be a godparent.
The proud parents have opened up the adjacent paddock near the church in order for well-wishers to set up camp, and as expected it was over-flowing with members of the public trying to catch a glimpse of their new princess.
In a statement released through Kensington Palace, they explained: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be pleased to welcome well-wishers into the paddock outside the church. The Duke and Duchess are hugely grateful for the warm wishes they have received since Princess Charlotte’s birth – many of them from local people in Norfolk – and are delighted the paddock can be opened on the day of the christening.”
Click through the gallery to check out all the wonderful highlights from Charlotte’s big day
In a sweet touch, the Millson pram was in fact the same one used by The Queen almost 50 years ago for her two sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. “Princess Charlotte was taken to church today in this Millson pram, previously used for Prince Edward & Prince Andrew,” Kensington Palace explained via Twitter alongside these comparison shots.
With their rose-bud lips, porcelain skin and delicate features it was seriously hard to tell George (main, pictured at his 2013 christening) and Charlotte (inset) apart!
Now and then! While the comparisons between Charlotte (L) and George (R) were uncanny, Kate’s ensemble for her daughter’s christening also echoed the cream McQueen ensemble she wore two years earlier for George’s baptism.
They may be the future King and Queen of England, but today they were simply proud parents as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge entered the gates of the church where their daughter will be christened.
The Cambridges, who looked happy and relaxed, waved at well-wishers as they entered the church. The family of four had simply strolled up from their nearby home for the big occasion.
Prince George looked adorable as he captivated the crowd while taking his role as big brother very seriously!
The Duchess of Cambridge was very much the doting mum at the christening of her daughter and soothed Charlotte who let out a few cries before the ceremony.
Princess Charlotte seems to be the spitting image of brother George at the same age.
Prince George was fascinated by the crowds while senior members of the royal family, including The Queen, greeted Princess Charlotte.
The Queen, who looked resplendent in a plush pink number, is clearly smitten with her great-granddaughter.
The excitement was too much for big brother George, who just wanted to lay eyes on his adorable sister on her big day. Here the nearly-two-year-old, sneaks a glance into his sibling’s pram.
The Cambridges happily greeted well-wishers who had been waiting hours to see the royal family.
He may be the future King of England but mum and dad are not afraid to set the cheeky Prince George straight when he needs it!
The Duchess of Cornwall looked a vision in a baby blue dress and matching hat… despite the wind.
Prince George shares a tender moment with his great-grandmother, The Queen.
Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall has a chat to Catherine’s mum Carole with the rest of the Middletons not far behind.
Pippa, Carole and Micheal Middleton looked proud as punch at Princess Charlotte’s christening. Following the ceremony, the Middletons were invited back to The Queen’s Sandringham estate for afternoon tea and cake. In a lovely touch, a tier of the christening cake was from William and Kate’s 2011 wedding cake.
The crowd was packed with well wishers, including royal super fan Terry Hutt.
Terry, pictured rocking his beloved Union Jack suit, camped out two months earlier for Charlotte’s birth and even received cake for his birthday from William and Kate.
