It is going to be a special weekend this coming July 5 for many royal watchers as two-month-old Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana will finally be christened at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. In a surprising turn of events, her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, have decided to invite the public to the occasion.
"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," read the statement released by Kensington Palace, according to People Magazine.
While the actual service will be privately reserved for family and guests, those who would like to catch a glimpse of the royal family and extend their well-wishes can do so outside of the church. If the weather permits, this will mark the second time the baby princess makes her public appearance following her birth last May. It may also be the first time the world will see the whole family in one public outing together, as Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte are expected to line the route as they enter the church's premises. The royal couple plans to carry the princess in a pram, while toting their toddler next to them, according to Express.
According to Mirror, the decision to invite the public is a huge contrast to when Prince George was baptized at the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace two years ago. His christening had been a strictly private affair that the public wasn't able to see a glimpse of the prince back then.
Princess Charlotte will be baptized at St. Mary Magdalene Church, which is near the royal family's Anmer Hall estate. It is the same church where the late Princess Diana, Prince William's mother and Princess Charlotte's grandmother, was baptized back in 1961. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will be officiating the ceremonies, supported by Sandringham Rector, Jonathan Riviere, Mirror reports.
Expected guests of the occasion include Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Kate Middleton's parents, Carole and Michael. Prince Harry, unfortunately, will not be able to join the event as he has been stationed in Africa for three months for his work in conservation and charity.
The names of godparents have not yet been released by the royal couple as of press time.
