How Sweet!

by Two Chums on June 8, 2015

Prince George and Princess Charlotte taken by their mother, the Duchess of Cambridge

The newest member of Britain’s royal family, 1-month-old Princess Charlotte, will be christened in a private ceremony next month, royal officials have said. You might well ask, “Where?”.

Well, that is the wonderful news! Princess Charlotte, the daughter of Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge, will be christened July 5 at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate of her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Diana, Princess of Wales, this sweet baby’s grandmother, was also christened there.

Viscount and Viscountess Althorp, now the late (8th) Earl Spencer and the late Hon. Mrs Shand-Kydd, daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy with Lady Diana Frances Spencer

In choosing St. Mary Magdalene Church for Charlotte’s christening, Prince William and Kate are making a poignant nod to William’s mother, as they did when they selected their daughter’s name, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

Prince William’s late mother, Princess Diana, was baptized at St. Mary Magdalene Church as a 2-month-old in 1961. Diana was born at Park House on the Sandringham Estate and grew up there as a young child.

St. Mary Magdalene Church is the parish church of the Queen on the Sandringham Estate and is where the royal family spends Christmas every year.

Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family coming out of the church on Christmas morn

Being just a stone’s throw from Amner Hall, the 10-bedroom home also on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate where their Royal Highnesses William, Kate, Charlotte and big brother, Prince George, have been spending most of their time since Charlotte’s birth, it will just be a hop, skip and a jump for them to attend this meaningful occasion.

Princess Eugenie was christened at the church in Sandringham during a public service in 1990. But from the Queen onwards, all heirs and “spares” have been christened in royal palaces.

The Queen and Princess Margaret were christened in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace, while the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Cambridge were all christened in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry was christened at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took the “very personal” decision to have Prince George christened in the Chapel Royal, where the body of Diana, Princess of Wales lay before her funeral and where the Duchess was confirmed before her wedding. Prince George’s christening was a very small, private affair with immediate family and godparents (with spouses) witnessing the celebration. It will be great fun to see who is invited to Charlotte’s christening and we cannot wait to see who is on the list of godparents.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who also presided over Prince George’s christening, will conduct the ceremony, Kensington Palace officials also announced.

Princess Charlotte will wear the same christening gown worn by Prince George. The gown, remade by the Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, in 2004, is an exact replica of the gown first commissioned by Queen Victoria 174 years ago and has been used for every generation of royal infants, totaling 62 royal babies in all.

Can you believe that this tiny little Princess is fourth in line to the British throne. What a mantle!

Joy, pure joy!