Princess Charlotte christening: William and Kate's joy as Britain rejoices for royal baby
PRINCESS Charlotte repeatedt history this afternoon by being christened in St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham – where Princess Diana was also baptised.
A beaming Duke and Duchess of Cambridge strolled calmly through the grounds of the royal estate to the church today, pushing little Charlotte in a pram as crowds whooped in delight.
Hundreds of well-wishers lined the route to the chapel waving Union Jack flags and cheering joyfully as a procession of royals passed.
As ever, little Prince George stole many's hearts as he walked hand-in-hand with his father in a pair of red shorts and white shirt.
Prince William looked dapper in a dark suit and red tie, whilst Kate shone in a white jacket with matching fascinator.
It is the first time the young royals have been photographed as a family of four and only the second time the baby princess has been seen in public.
In a nod to family history, the couple pushed Charlotte to the christening in a vintage pram the Queen used for two of her own children.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge delighted well-wishers by walking from nearby Sandringham House with toddler Prince George and nine week-old Charlotte, who was dressed in the elaborate cream lace and satin royal christening gown, to the Church of St Mary Magdalene.
Kate pushed the Millson pram - once used for the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex - while William held George's hand as the prince, who is nearly two, waved at the crowds.
As George entered the churchyard, he let go of William's hand and made his own way through the grounds.
Charlotte could be heard crying as they approached the church door with Kate having to pick her up to settle her. Meanwhile, inquisitive George took matters into his own hands and tried to make his way into the church by himself.
Kate was dressed in an ivory Alexander McQueen outfit with Jane Taylor hat.
The Queen arrived slightly before them by car, resplendent in a pink Angela Kelly coat and hat.
After the 30-minute service was finished the royal family and friends left the church, with excited George running out ahead.
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When I found out the christening was happening while we were here I knew I just had to be thereRoyal superfan Laurie Spencer
St Mary Magdalene is the church where the Royal Family worships on Christmas Day and on most occasions when the Queen is resident at Sandringham, and has a rich and varied history.
St Mary Magdalene was where Charlotte's late grandmother, Diana, was christened on August 30, 1961. William’s mother was born at Park House on the Sandringham estate where she spent her childhood.
By coincidence, the last great-granddaughter of a serving sovereign to be born in direct succession on the male line - Princess Mary - was also baptised in the same church 118 years ago in June, 1897.
George VI's younger sister, Princess Mary was born in the year her great-grandmother Queen Victoria marked her Diamond Jubilee, while Charlotte arrived in the year her great-grandmother the Queen is due to overtake Victoria's record as the country's longest reigning monarch.
While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge picked friends and non-royal relations as Charlotte's godparents, Mary's godparents were strictly family only.
Those chosen for the role included Queen Victoria herself, along with other relatives: the King of the Hellenes, the Dowager Empress of Russia, the then Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Teck, Princess Victoria of Wales and Prince Francis of Teck. After her marriage, Mary held the title of Viscountess Lascelles and in 1929 she became Countess of Harewood.
Other notable christenings at the church include Princess Charlotte's great-great-grandfather King George VI in 1896. Prince William’s cousin Princess Eugenie - the daughter of the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York - was also baptised there in 1990.
Eugenie was the first royal baby to have a public christening. She was baptised during Sunday morning service just before Christmas in 1990.
Royal christenings are usually private affairs and most royal babies have been christened at royal palaces. William and the Prince of Wales were both christened in Buckingham Palace's Music Room. The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, was christened in the Palace's private chapel in 1926.
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Charlotte's older brother Prince George was baptised in October 2013 at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace. William and Kate made a "personal decision" to hold the ceremony there.
The Chapel Royal was where the coffin of William's mother lay before her funeral to allow her family to pay their last respects.
St Mary Magdalene dates back in its present form to the 16th century. Records show there was a rector of Sandringham as far back as 1321.
The church is built from Norfolk carstone - also known as gingerbread stone for its brown colouring - and inside it is elaborately decorated with an intricate chancel featuring carved angels, as well as a silver altar, a Florentine marble font and stained glass from the 16th century.
It also features memorials to numerous kings and queens including George VI, as well as Queen Victoria, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, George V and Queen Mary.
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The royal couple decided to keep the ceremony an intimate affair, with just 22 close friends and family in attendance.
Those honoured with a place in the chapel this afternoon are:
- William, Kate, George, Charlotte
- The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh
- The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall
- Carole Middleton, Michael Middleton, Pippa Middleton and James Middleton
- Sophie Carter, James Meade and his wife Lady Laura Marsham, Adam Middleton and his wife Rebecca, Laura Fellowes and her husband Nick Pettman, Thomas van Straubenzee and his wife Lady Melissa van Straubenzee.
- Nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo will also be in the church but not as an official guest.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen two hymns, one lesson and two anthems for the christening of their daughter.
The hymns are Praise to the Lord, The Almighty and Come Down and O Love Divine, whilst their close friend and Charlotte's new godfather James Meade will read a lesson from Matthew 18, verses 1-5.
The gathered royals and their friends will enter the chapel to the strains of Prelude on "Rhosymedre", by the English composer Vaughan Williams.
They will then hear the anthems I Will Sing With The Spirit and God Be In My Head, both composed by John Rutter and sung by The Sandringham Church Choir.
The recessional organ music when the service is completed will be Handel's Overture and Allegro from Concerto VIII in A.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will carry out the baptism of Princess Charlotte supported by The Reverend Canon Jonathan Riviere, the Rector of the Sandringham group of parishes.
Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside the church on the Queen's private estate to mark the special day.
Among those who made the journey to Sandringham were Dean and Caroline Childs travelled from Stowmarket, Suffolk, with daughters Lily, 11, and Grace, six.
Mrs Childs said: "It's a great thing to do as a family. We've seen William and Kate before but this will be the first time we've seen George and Charlotte."
Also there was seasoned watcher Mary Relph, 80, from Shouldham, Norfolk, who attends most events at Sandringham and across the UK. When she missed William and Kate's wedding, the Duchess of Cornwall sent her a piece of the wedding cake.
She also missed the recent Christmas services through ill health, but was fighting fit today and said: "I'm back on my feet again and pleased to be here for this big occasion."
American Laurie Spencer, from Florida, revealed that she even gave up a $1,200 British Grand Prix ticket to attend the christening.
The 52-year-old said said: "When I found out the christening was happening while we were here I knew I just had to be there, but there was no way my husband was.
"We were having dinner last night and somebody on the next table heard us talking and asked if he could have my ticket instead, so they have gone to the Grand Prix and I have come here."
The Palace has announced that flowers brought by wellwishers to the event will be given to East Anglia's Children's Hospices, where Kate is patron.
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