Advertisement

Crowds gather for christening of Princess Charlotte

LONDON (Reuters) - Princess Charlotte, the baby daughter of Prince William and his wife, Kate, will be christened on Sunday in the family's first public outing together since her birth in May.

Television pictures showed members of the public gathering near the church in the hope of securing a glimpse of Britain's newest royal, who is fourth in line to the throne.

The ceremony will start at 1530 GMT at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, where William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have a country home.

The princess's full name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, is a nod to her late grandmother Princess Diana and her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth.

William's office said the couple had chosen five friends and family members to be Charlotte's godparents.

The christening will be conducted by Archbishop Justin Welby, the spiritual head of the Anglican Church, who also oversaw the christening of her elder brother, Prince George.

The princess will wear the christening robe worn by George at his christening. The lace and satin gown made by Queen Elizabeth's dressmaker is a replica of one first used by the royal family in 1841.

After the ceremony the duke and duchess will serve their guests at Sandringham House slices of cake from a tier of the couple's wedding cake.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Digby Lidstone)