Royals set for Charlotte’s baptism

The newborn baby girl makes her first appearance to the public with the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London, on May 2, 2015.

Princess Charlotte’s christening will be held on July 5 at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, and The Daily Mail reports Queen Elizabeth has invited the Middleton family to her private residence for tea after the service.

For George’s christening in October 2013 at the Chapel Royal, there was a guest list of just over 20 people and a number of senior royals were missing – including the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, but the very small congregation did span four generations of the Royal Family. Her parents, Kate Middleton and Prince William, both 33, and big brother, Prince George, 23 months, will also be in attendance.

Kate Middleton and husband Prince William will baptize their daughter Charlotte this Sunday.

Much like the Christmas service, the paddock next to the church will be open for royal well-wishers. The church is near parents Prince William and Princess Kate’s country home.

It is expected that a multitude of fans and well-wishers will congregate outside at the paddock to catch a rare glimpse of Princess Charlotte or greet the royal family.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The Duke and Duchess are delighted that Mario Testino will help capture this important moment for their family and look forward to sharing the photographs with the public”.

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, will preside over the ceremony, with support from Rev. Canon Jonathan Riviere, the rector of the Sandringham group of parishes, the palace said.

Prince Harry is still a favourite to be a godparent, however he will not be there because he is already in Africa where he will spend the summer travelling the continent doing conservation and charity work.

Charlotte will wear the same royal silk and lace christening gown as George.