Princess Charlotte's Christening: Hundreds Of Fans Flock To See The Royal Baby In Sandringham

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, the fourth in line to the British throne, was christened at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk on Sunday.

Hundreds of fans had gathered outside the church - a sprawling royal estate near the eastern coast of England - to witness the milestone event for the royal family.

The crowds cheered on as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, their son Prince George and daughter Charlotte, who was in a vintage pram, arrived at the gates and made their way inside the church.

Charlotte was dressed in a replica of the intricate lace-and-satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, also named Victoria, in 1841 for the momentous occasion.

The original gown had been worn by all royal babies, including the queen herself, at their christenings until 2008, the Associated Press reported.

The christening was an intimate and private affair, with only a handful of people invited on the Queen's Sandringham estate.

Charlotte's grandparents, great-grandparents, aunt and uncle on the Middleton side were present for the event. Prince Harry, the Duke of Cambridge's brother, was absent as he was in Africa.

As for Charlotte's godparents, Prince William and Kate broke tradition by choosing three of their oldest friends and a cousin from both sides instead of royal family members.

One of the people chosen to be godparents was Laura Fellowes, a cousin from Princess Diana's branch of the family, whom Prince William personally chose, CNN reported.

The ceremony was presided over by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who sprinkled the baby's head with the water from the River Jordan.

The Archbishop also used the ornate 174-year-old silver gilt Lily Font, which was brought to the church from the Tower of London, to christen Charlotte, according to the New York Daily News.

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Royal baby, Royal family, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, U.K., United kingdom, England, Baptism, Prince harry
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