Prince Louis is the apple of his mother’s eye, judging by the images released from the tiny royal’s christening. The occasion, which took place last week, was attended by members of Britain’s royal family, as well as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge‘s family, and the official portraits from the day were unveiled on Sunday by Kensington Palace. The five shots, taken by Matt Holyoak, mark the July 9 event, and were captured at Clarence House following the service at the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace.
One of the intimate photographs captures the duchess cradling her 11-week-old son in a wooded area, wearing a cream Alexander McQueen dress with a structured Jane Taylor headband. The young prince, who had been sleeping as the family made their way into the service, had his eyes open for the portrait, as he wore the handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by dressmaker to the Queen Angela Kelly.
The lace-trimmed garment, a copy of the 1841 gown made for Queen Victoria’s daughter, was worn by Prince Louis’s siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, at their respective christenings. In another shot, the Cambridges are officially photographed as a family of five for the first time since welcoming Prince Louis on April 23.
Proud father Prince William is seen smiling broadly, as is 3-year-old Charlotte, while 5-year-old Prince George appears a little more shy, with one hand in his pocket. For the remaining portraits, Their Royal Highnesses were joined by members of their immediate family, including Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wore Ralph Lauren for the occasion, and kept her co-ordinating hat on for the shots. The group was joined by Catherine’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, for the final photograph, along with her brother, James, sister Pippa, and brother-in-law James Matthews.
“Everyone was so relaxed and in such good spirits, it was an absolute pleasure. I only hope I have captured some of that joy in my photographs,” said Holyoak, according to the Daily Mail. Absent on the day was Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, who were not able to attend the christening due to prior engagements.
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