Isn’t she lovely: Charlotte at two months

TOUCHING family photographs have been released to mark the christening of Princess Charlotte.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art PartnerThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art Partner
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art Partner

The four official images were taken by celebrated photographer Mario Testino immediately after the royal baby was baptised in front of the Queen and close relatives at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on Sunday.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their whole family had a wonderful day on Sunday and were delighted to share the special occasion with the thousands of people who came to Sandringham.

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“They are very happy to share these photographs and hope that everyone enjoys them as much as they do.”

One of the images is a large group photo showing Charlotte’s immediate family in the drawing of the Queen’s private Norfolk residence.

Seated at the front are William, Prince George, then Kate holding her daughter, and finally the Queen.

Standing behind William are Kate’s family - her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and her siblings, James and Pippa.

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Next to the Middletons and also standing are the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Duke of Cambridge and his son, Prince George, after the christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art PartnerThe Duke of Cambridge and his son, Prince George, after the christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art Partner
The Duke of Cambridge and his son, Prince George, after the christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art Partner

Kate and Charlotte are featured alone in one image also taken in the drawing room, with the Duchess looking proudly down at her daughter.

To complement this picture there is a black and white image taken in the grounds of Sandringham of the Duke holding his son.

The final image from the official set of christening pictures taken by Testino is a family photograph of the Cambridges with their children.

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Kate is holding Charlotte while William is holding George as they pose in the gardens of Sandringham House.

The Duchess of Cambridge and her daughter, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art Partner.The Duchess of Cambridge and her daughter, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art Partner.
The Duchess of Cambridge and her daughter, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday. Picture: Mario Testino / Art Partner.

The outing for the christening was the first time the family of four had been seen together in public.

The royal baby was pushed to church in a vintage pram - which the Queen used for two of her own children - in what was only the royal infant’s second appearance in public since she was photographed leaving hospital following her birth on May 2.

Kate strolled from Sandringham House pushing the large traditional silver wheeled Millson pram, once used for the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, while William held George’s hand as the prince, who is nearly two, waved at the crowds.

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Charlotte, who is nine weeks old, was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, using the ornate silver gilt lily font which is part of the crown jewels.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte, who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday July 5, 2015.  They are pictured in the Drawing Room of Sandringham House with Queen Elizabeth II (seated right) and (standing, from left), Michael Middleton, Pippa Middleton, James Middleton.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte, who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday July 5, 2015.  They are pictured in the Drawing Room of Sandringham House with Queen Elizabeth II (seated right) and (standing, from left), Michael Middleton, Pippa Middleton, James Middleton.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte, who was christened at Sandringham on Sunday July 5, 2015. They are pictured in the Drawing Room of Sandringham House with Queen Elizabeth II (seated right) and (standing, from left), Michael Middleton, Pippa Middleton, James Middleton.

The princess was baptised using holy water from the River Jordan, where it is said Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.

Testino, 60, is one of the most highly regarded fashion and portrait photographers in the world and his work has been showcased in international magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair and in museum and gallery exhibitions.

The rich, famous and powerful, ranging from Madonna and Kate Moss to Michelle Obama, have posed for him. He received an honorary OBE last year.

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Testino was also chosen to take William and Kate’s official engagement photos in 2010 and he also created some of the most enduring images of William’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Peruvian, said to be Diana’s favourite photographer, has worked with William on many occasions.

He marked William’s 21st birthday in 2003 and also captured Prince Harry’s 20th birthday image in 2004, which showed the royal brothers joking with their father.