Princess Charlotte Christening Evokes Memories Of Her Grandmother Diana

Princess Charlotte was christened at the church of St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on Sunday. The day belonged to the little princess, but the inspiration was Diana, Princess of Wales. The venue, the godparents and even the music for the christening were chosen to evoke memories of the child's late grandmother, according to Telegraph.

Prince William and Kate Middleton made sure the memory of Princess Charlotte’s late grandmother was center stage for the occasion. St Mary Magdalene church was the place where Princess Diana was baptized in 1961, when she was less than2 months old. Will and Kate chose Diana’s niece (Will's cousin) Laura Fellowes as one of their daughter's five godparents.

They couple paid homage to Princess Diana by naming their daughter Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. The Duke and Duchess’ choice of music for the service included Vaughan Williams’ Prelude on Rhosymedre, which was also used as processional organ music for their wedding in 2011. It also featured in the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales, in 1981.

Even Prince George’s outfit evoked memories of the grandmother he never met. His red shorts and embroidered white shirt were the nearest possible matches for the outfit worn by Prince William when he was taken to see his mother and newborn brother Prince Harry in the hospital in September 1984. Kensington Palace confirmed that it was far from a coincidence.

No member of the royal family made it to the distinctly informal list of friends and relatives who were named godparents of the little princess.

And in a final nod to the late royal, famed photographer Mario Testino was chosen to take the official christening portraits. The Peruvian-born photographer took Vanity Fair’s portraits of Princess Diana before her death, as well as the official engagement photos for William and Kate in 2011. Diana tragically died at the age of 36 in a car accident in August 1997. When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, he used his mother's engagement ring from Prince Charles.