UK’s Princess Charlotte to be christened on queen’s estate

Britain’s Princess Charlotte – the daughter of Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton – was christened as planned Sunday at St. Mary Magdalene’s Church on Queen Elizabeth II’s Sandringham estate.

Nine-week-old Charlotte was pushed to her christening by the Duchess of Cambridge in a vintage Millson pram the Queen used for two of her own children.

Pictures of Princess Charlotte and her family flooded Twitter, and marked her first appearance in public since her birth on May 2.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen five godparents for their daughter Princess Charlotte, including William’s cousin Laura Fellowes.

It was also a rare opportunity to see the growing family together in public for the first time. The Duchess wore a white dress made by Alexander McQueen and Jane Taylor fascinator adorned in flowers, similar to what she wore at the christening of Prince George.

Following the service, the royals and their guests headed back to their estate for an afternoon tea hosted by the Queen where they will eat the christening cake which is a tier of Wills and Kate’s wedding cake.

The service was well attended, with guests including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and, from the Middleton family, Carole, Michael, Pippa and James.

The 16th-century church, close to William and Kate’s country house Anmer Hall, is where the royal family traditionally gathers for Christmas service.

At one point Prince George could be seen trying to peek into the pram to catch a peek of his sister. Kate’s friend Sophie Carter and William’s close pals James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee are also godparents.

The most anticipated baptism of the year – Princess Charlotte’s, daughter of the Duke and Duchesse of Cambridge – did not disappoint, with a private ceremony that lasted less than 25 minutes while adoring crowds joyously cheered outside the historical church where it was held. This is the same location where the princess’s late grandmother Princess Diana was baptised on August 30, 1961.

Britain’s Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, arrive for the christening.

Accompanied by their spouses, Princess Charlotte’s godparents will also be present on the occasion.

They joined in singing the two hymns – Praise to the Lord, The Almighty and Come Down, O Love Divine – while godfather Mr Meade read the lesson from Matthew 18, verses 1-5.

Among the members of the Royal Family not in attendance were Prince Harry, who is spending the summer doing charity work in Africa, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in Papua New Guinea for an official visit.