See the Official Photos From Princess Charlotte's Christening
— -- The world now has its first glimpse at the official photos from Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana’s christening.
Kensington Palace today released four photos snapped by Mario Testino, the world-renowned photographer selected by Prince William and Princess Kate to document the momentous day.
The photos were taken in the gardens and drawing room at Sandringham House, the Queen’s estate in Norfolk where the christening took place last Sunday inside the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
One photo shows a smiling Kate looking down at her daughter, 2-month-old Princess Charlotte, who has her eyes on the camera.
Another shot features the whole family -- Kate, William, Charlotte and big brother, Prince George -- in the garden at Sandringham. Kate is holding Charlotte while Prince George, nearly 2, is held by his father.
The third photo released by Kensington Palace is a shot of the second and third-in-line to the British throne, the two future Kings, Prince George and Prince William. The father and son were photographed smiling outside in the garden, with Prince Charlotte’s stroller spotted behind them.
The fourth and final photo shows the entire Royal family together for the occasion, with the addition of Kate’s family, the Middletons. The only family member missing from the group shot is Prince Harry, who is in Africa doing charity work and unable to attend his niece’s christening.
Joining Prince William and Princess Kate for Princess Charlotte’s christening were the Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, Pippa Middleton, James Middleton and Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
In all four photos released today, Princess Charlotte is wearing her christening gown, the same christening gown worn by Prince George at his christening. The gown, remade by the Queen's dresser, Angela Kelly, in 2008, 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.
The Most Rev. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who also presided over Prince George's christening, conducted Sunday’s ceremony, which was also attended by Charlotte’s five godparents.
Those godparents -- Princess Diana's niece, The Hon. Laura Fellowes; Kate's cousin, Adam Middleton; and three of the couple's friends: Sophie Carter, James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee -- joined the family members after the christening at a champagne tea hosted by the Queen.
Testino called the opportunity to photograph Princess Charlotte's christening an "amazing experience."
"What impressed me the most was the energy of the family, and of that between the Duke and Duchess. One sees how solid they are together and one gets a sense of their strong family values," he said in a statement. "It was incredible to be able to document four generations of the British Royal Family together – the monarch and three heirs to the throne – and very heartwarming to see the close relationship between them all."
The photographer, 60, was a favorite of William's late mother, Princess Diana, and has taken photographs of the royal family over the years, including William and Kate’s engagement photos.
