UK's Princess Charlotte Christened in Countryside Ceremony
It was only the second time Britain's newborn princess, who is fourth in line to the throne, has been seen in public since she was born on May 2.
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Prince William and his wife, Kate, marked a milestone for their newborn baby Princess Charlotte on Sunday — a christening ceremony on Queen Elizabeth II's country estate that was steeped in royal tradition.
Hundreds of fans outside St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, a sprawling royal estate near England's eastern coast, cheered as William and Kate arrived with toddler Prince George and 9-week-old Charlotte, who was in a vintage pram.
It was only the second time Britain's newborn princess, who is fourth in line to the throne, has been seen in public since she was born on May 2.
Like her elder brother George, Charlotte was dressed for the occasion in a replica of the intricate lace-and-satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, also named Victoria, in 1841. Until 2008, that original gown had been worn by all royal babies — including the queen — at their christenings.
Following royal tradition, holy water from the River Jordan, where it is said Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, was used for the baptism.
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Britain's Prince William, right, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, hold their newborn daughter as they pose for the media outside the St. Mary's Hospital's exclusive Lindo Wing, London, Saturday, May 2, 2015. The Duchess gave birth to the Princess on Saturday morning.
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UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage celebrates the arrival of the new royal baby with a 'baby Girl' balloon in a pub on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England.
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Royal fans celebrate outside the Lindo wing at St Mary's hospital in central London, on May 2, 2015 after the news is passed that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William's second child, a daughter, was born.
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A royal fan stands outside the Lindo wing at St Mary's hospital in central London, on May 2, 2015 after Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William's wife, was admitted to hospital on May 2 in the early stages of labour with her second child.
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Royal fans celebrate the announcement that Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge has given birth to a baby girl, outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital on May 2, 2015 in London, England.
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Unofficial Town Crier Tony Appleton announces The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a girl outside St. Mary's Hospital in London, England on May 2, 2015.
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A chalkboard displays the latest betting odds on the name of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William's second child outside the entrance to the Lindo wing at St Mary's hospital in central London, on May 2, 2015.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Royal fans celebrate the announcement that Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge has given birth to a baby girl, outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital on May 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
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Royal supporter John Loughrey, centre, salutes as he stands with men dressed as soldiers carrying boards with proposed baby names outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, Friday, May 1, 2015. Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was admitted to the hospital in labor early Saturday, Kensington Palace announced.
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Media gather at the Lindo Wing after it was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labor at St. Mary's Hospital on May 2, 2015 in London, England. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is expected to give birth at the Lindo wing sometime in the next couple of weeks.
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Police guard the front entrance to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, and the media pens opposite as Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, was admitted in labor to give birth to her second child in London, Saturday, May 2, 2015.
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Royal fan Terry Hutt enjoys a hot drink as he celebrates his 80th birthday outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, as he continues his vigil waiting for Kate, Duchess of Cambridge to arrive at the hospital, in London, Thursday, April, 30, 2015. Kate was admitted to the hospital in labor early Saturday, Kensington Palace announced.
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Members of the media gather outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in central London, on May 2, 2015, after the news emerged that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William's wife, second child, a daughter, was born.
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A Royal bulletin, announcing that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William's wife, has given birth to a baby girl, the Princess of Cambridge, stands on an easel on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London on May 2, 2015.
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Terry Hutt poses for the media with a sign that reads "Not Long to Go" as he waits with other royal fans outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital on Friday, April 24, 2015. Kate was admitted to the hospital in labor early Saturday.
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Police guard the front entrance to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital as Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, has arrived and gone into labor to give birth to her second child, in London, Saturday, May, 2, 2015.
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A chalkboard displays the latest betting odds on the name of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William's second child outside the entrance to the Lindo wing at St Mary's hospital in central London, on May 2, 2015 after the announcement was made by Kensington Palace that Catherine was admitted to hospital on May 2 in the early stages of labour.
The 16th-century church, close to William and Kate's country house Anmer Hall, is where the royal family traditionally gathers for Christmas service. It is also where Charlotte's late grandmother, Princess Diana, was christened in 1961.
The ceremony was private — the queen, her husband Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Kate's family were among a small group of guests allowed inside. Guests also included five godparents that William and Kate chose for Charlotte, including William's cousin Laura Fellowes, Kate's cousin Adam Middleton, and three of the couple's friends.
Royal fans gathered near the entrance to the church of St. Mary Magdalene ahead of Princess Charlotte’s christening.
Fans from as far afield as Australia and the U.S. patiently lined up outside the church, hoping to get a glimpse of the baby as the royals arrive and leave.
"We just love the royal family. Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it to London to see Princess Charlotte when she was on the drive home from hospital. So we thought the next best thing, let's be here for the christening," resident Lindy Diaper said.
Sunday's event saw William, Kate, George and Charlotte appear in public for the first time as a family of four. Celebrity photographer Mario Testino will take official photos of the royal family after the service.
The queen, her husband Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Kate's family will be among guests attending the christening at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, near England's eastern coast. The church is where Charlotte's late grandmother, Princess Diana, was christened in 1961.
Charlotte, the fourth in line to the throne, is likely to make a rare appearance for the cameras. It's only the second glimpse of the princess in public since she was born May 2.
