This will be the second time the public will catch a glimpse of the new princess after she appeared with her parents on the steps of St Mary’s Hospital in London after her birth on May 2.
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Princess Diana, her late grandmother was also christened in the same church in 1961.
There is a family connection to St. Mary Magdalene Church (below); Diana, Princess of Wales, was christened in the 16th-century church when she was a baby. Prince George, who is nearly two, held the Duke’s hand, while the Duchess, who wore an ivory Alexander McQueen outfit with Jane Taylor hat, brought Charlotte in the pram. For the refreshments, the guests were traditionally served from a tier of the couple’s wedding cake.
The ceremony was private – the queen, her husband Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Kate’s family were among a small group of guests allowed inside. Meade has been friends with Prince William since the two attended Eton College, and van Straubenzee is childhood pal with with whom William went to prep school.
Royal christenings are usually grand affairs steeped in tradition, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are known to break from it when it comes to their personal lives.
Earlier in the day, the princess’ five godparents were revealed, though neither Harry nor Kate’s sister Pippa were on the list.
Also disappointing was that the Duke or Duchess did not chose their siblings to be godparents again.
The baby wore the same Victorian-style gown as her elder brother George.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have said they want their children to have relatively normal upbringings and have closely guarded their privacy, bringing them up in the secluded mansion Anmer Hall, close to the church. According to the magazine, Sophie is a longtime friend of Kate’s, Adam is a cousin of Charlotte’s mom, Laura is Princess Di’s niece (and William’s cousin) and Tom is the prince’s best friend. Celebrity and fashion photographer Mario Testino will take the official pictures.
It’s a big day for the royal family!
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Hundreds of fans had gathered outside the church – a sprawling royal estate near the eastern coast of England – to witness the milestone event for the royal family.
