Princess Charlotte's Christening Open To The Public [PHOTOS]

The fourth in line to the British throne, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, was christened on Sunday at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The ceremony was officiated by the Church of England’s most senior bishop, Reverend Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury.

The royal couple invited any well-wisher who wanted to observe the event to celebrate with them. A paddock near the church was accessed by the public who came to watch the event, though the ceremony itself was only attended by a few. Prince George’s christening, third in line to the crown and Charlotte’s older brother, was a private event in a chapel in London.

Even with thousands of citizens in attendance, the ceremony itself was small and intimate with 17 invited guests present, according to Telegraph. Attendees included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, together with their children, George and Charlotte; Queen Elizabeth and the prince consort the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip; the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and wife, Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla; as well as the Middleton family, Carole, Michael, James and Pippa. Prince Harry is notably absent since he is curently on three-month trip on Africa.

Traditionally, members of the Royal family were chosen as godparents for royal christenings. Instead, the Duke and Duchess decided to each have three of their oldest friends and a cousin stand in for the role.

As a concession to tradition, the Lily baptismal font was used in the ceremony. The bowl was first used on the christening of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s first daughter, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa, in 1840. The water used in the font came from the river of Jordan. The little princess was also wearing the same dress her older brother wore during his christening: a replica of the royal christening gown, worn by generations of royalties, made of Spitalsfields silk and Honiton lace.

The royal siblings’ places of christening are both related to their late grandmother, Princess Diana. George was baptised at Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace, the same place where his grandmother was laid to rest, while Charlotte was baptised at the same chapel where the Princess of Wales was christened.

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