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Princess Charlotte to be christened at Sandringham Princess Charlotte to be christened at Sandringham
(about 2 hours later)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen five godparents for Princess Charlotte, including William's cousin Laura Fellowes. The Royal Family have arrived at a church in Norfolk for Princess Charlotte's christening.
The announcement was made ahead of the royal baby's christening in Norfolk. The Duke and Duchess walked to the church with the princess in a black pram, and with Prince George on foot.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge earlier announced they had chosen five godparents for the princess, including William's cousin Laura Fellowes.
Other godparents include Catherine's cousin Adam Middleton and Thomas van Straubenzee, a friend of the duke's.Other godparents include Catherine's cousin Adam Middleton and Thomas van Straubenzee, a friend of the duke's.
The christening will be held on the Sandringham estate and attended by the Queen, other senior members of the Royal Family and Catherine's parents. The duke and duchess and their two children appeared as a family of four in public for the first time ahead of the baptism at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.
The duke and duchess, Prince George and the princess will appear as a family of four in public for the first time at the baptism at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham. The christening is being attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, along with other senior members of the Royal Family and Catherine's parents.
Private ceremony
The baptism, conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will be held in private.The baptism, conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will be held in private.
But members of the public will be allowed into the area outside the church - known as the paddock - to see Charlotte and other royals arrive and depart. But members of the public are allowed into the area outside the church - known as the paddock - to see Charlotte and other royals arrive and depart.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "My best wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Princess Charlotte's Christening today."Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "My best wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Princess Charlotte's Christening today."
Other guests will include the Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine's two siblings - Pippa and James Middleton. Other guests include the Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine's two siblings - Pippa and James Middleton.
Princess Charlotte has two fewer godparents than her brother George.Princess Charlotte has two fewer godparents than her brother George.
The final two godparents announced by the family are the duke's friend James Meade and the duchess's friend Sophie Carter.The final two godparents announced by the family are the duke's friend James Meade and the duchess's friend Sophie Carter.
Mr van Straubenzee, whom William met at Ludgrove Prep School, and Mr Meade, a friend from Eton, were both ushers at the duke and duchess's wedding and gave speeches at the reception.Mr van Straubenzee, whom William met at Ludgrove Prep School, and Mr Meade, a friend from Eton, were both ushers at the duke and duchess's wedding and gave speeches at the reception.
Lady Laura Fellowes is the daughter of Baroness Jane Fellowes - a sister of Diana, Princess of Wales.Lady Laura Fellowes is the daughter of Baroness Jane Fellowes - a sister of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Commentary: BBC royal correspondent Peter HuntCommentary: BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt
In the presence of her great-grandmother and, as things stand, three future kings - Charles, William and George - Princess Charlotte will be baptised using a font from Victoria's reign and with water from the River Jordan.In the presence of her great-grandmother and, as things stand, three future kings - Charles, William and George - Princess Charlotte will be baptised using a font from Victoria's reign and with water from the River Jordan.
The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene is where the royals usually gather on Christmas Day and where Charlotte's late grandmother - Diana, Princess of Wales - was christened.The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene is where the royals usually gather on Christmas Day and where Charlotte's late grandmother - Diana, Princess of Wales - was christened.
It's been chosen because it is close to Anmer Hall, William and Kate's second home. This Norfolk retreat is where they intend to bring up their family. It's been chosen because it is close to Anmer Hall, William and Kate's second home. This Norfolk retreat is where they intend to bring up their family.
In the congregation, witnessing the start of the nine-week-old baby's spiritual journey, will be members of her family and close friends of her parents. In the congregation, witnessing the start of the nine-week-old baby's spiritual journey, will be members of her family and close friends of her parents.
Babies, royal or otherwise, react differently to this moment of celebration.Babies, royal or otherwise, react differently to this moment of celebration.
The Queen cried so much during her baptism in 1926 that her nurse had to give her a dose of dill water.The Queen cried so much during her baptism in 1926 that her nurse had to give her a dose of dill water.
Read more from PeterRead more from Peter
Like her brother, Charlotte will be christened in a replica of the lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria, the princess royal, in 1841.Like her brother, Charlotte will be christened in a replica of the lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria, the princess royal, in 1841.
The original was worn by all royal babies until the christening of Prince Edward's son James, Viscount Severn in 2008.The original was worn by all royal babies until the christening of Prince Edward's son James, Viscount Severn in 2008.
He and all subsequent royals have worn the replica, commissioned by the Queen to protect the original and made by royal dressmaker Angela Kelly.He and all subsequent royals have worn the replica, commissioned by the Queen to protect the original and made by royal dressmaker Angela Kelly.
Charlotte will be christened using the ornate silver gilt Lily Font which is usually on show as part of the crown jewels at the Tower of London.Charlotte will be christened using the ornate silver gilt Lily Font which is usually on show as part of the crown jewels at the Tower of London.
Norfolk police are expecting large crowds near the 16th century church and have urged people to arrive early for the opening of the paddock gates at 15:00 BST. The ceremony is due to start at 16:30.
Among those gathered to catch a glimpse of the princess is 80-year-old royal enthusiast Terry Hutt, who camped overnight to get a good spot.Among those gathered to catch a glimpse of the princess is 80-year-old royal enthusiast Terry Hutt, who camped overnight to get a good spot.
Wearing a union jack suit and hat, he said: "This is such a happy occasion and I just wanted to be part of it. I didn't get too much sleep last night and it's a bit wet today but I'm sure it will all be worth it."Wearing a union jack suit and hat, he said: "This is such a happy occasion and I just wanted to be part of it. I didn't get too much sleep last night and it's a bit wet today but I'm sure it will all be worth it."
Laurie Spencer, 52, from Florida, gave up a $1,200 (£770) ticket to the British Grand Prix to attend.Laurie Spencer, 52, from Florida, gave up a $1,200 (£770) ticket to the British Grand Prix to attend.
"When I found out the christening was happening while we were here I knew I just had to be there, but there was no way my husband was," she said."When I found out the christening was happening while we were here I knew I just had to be there, but there was no way my husband was," she said.
"We were having dinner last night and somebody on the next table heard us talking and asked if he could have my ticket instead, so they have gone to the Grand Prix and I have come here.""We were having dinner last night and somebody on the next table heard us talking and asked if he could have my ticket instead, so they have gone to the Grand Prix and I have come here."
'Hugely grateful''Hugely grateful'
Anyone bringing flowers will be asked to give them to representatives of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, where Catherine is a patron, who will then take them to hospices in the region. Anyone bringing flowers is asked to give them to representatives of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, where Catherine is a patron, who will then take them to hospices in the region.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "The duke and duchess are hugely grateful for the warm wishes they have received since Princess Charlotte's birth - many of them from local people in Norfolk - and are delighted the paddock can be opened on the day of the christening."
Prince Harry will be among those missing from the ceremony. He is currently spending three months in Africa.Prince Harry will be among those missing from the ceremony. He is currently spending three months in Africa.
St Mary Magdalene is the church used by the Queen when she is resident on her private estate.St Mary Magdalene is the church used by the Queen when she is resident on her private estate.
Archbishop Welby will give an address. He will be supported by The Reverend Canon Jonathan Riviere, the Rector of the Sandringham group of parishes.Archbishop Welby will give an address. He will be supported by The Reverend Canon Jonathan Riviere, the Rector of the Sandringham group of parishes.
Mario Testino has been asked by William and Catherine to take the official photographs after the service.Mario Testino has been asked by William and Catherine to take the official photographs after the service.
Following the service, the duke and duchess will host a tea at Sandringham House where guests will be served slices of christening cake, which is a tier from their wedding cake.Following the service, the duke and duchess will host a tea at Sandringham House where guests will be served slices of christening cake, which is a tier from their wedding cake.