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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Aurora Bosotti & Joe Smith

Princess Charlotte's big day was 'poignant' tribute to Diana, claim royal experts

Princess Charlotte’s christening was designed to be a “poignant” tribute to Princess Diana, her late grandmother, royal experts have said.

Princess Charlotte was christened at Sandringham's own parish church of St Mary Magdalene on July 5, 2015, aged only four months.

The church plays a key role for the Royal Family, it is best known as the place where the Queen and other royals attend Christmas mass during their annual stay in Norfolk.

But as well as holding a special significance for Her Majesty, St Mary Magdalene also has a strong symbolic link to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, royal experts told the Express.

Do you agree with the royal experts? Have your say in the comment section

Princess Diana was born on the Sandringham Estate in July 1961 (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Charlotte was christened at Sandringham's own parish church on July 5, 2015 (Getty Images)

The commentators suggested St Mary Magdalene was selected in order for Prince William to pay a very personal tribute to his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Royal commentator Emily Andrews told Channel 5's Secret of the Royal Palaces: "The chapel of St Mary Magdalene is the parish church of Sandringham House.

"It has a history as well through William's mother, Diana Spencer. She was also christened there."

Charlotte's christening at Sandringham was in part a tribute to Diana, experts say (Getty Images)
Charlotte smiles as she poses for a photograph released ahead of her sixth birthday in May 2021 (KENSINGTON PALACE/AFP via Getty)

Princess Diana was born on the Sandringham Estate in July 1961, at a time when her parents, the then-Viscount and Viscountess Althorp, leased property from the Royal Family.

Commentator Richard Kay revealed: "Prince William likes the symbolism.

"He's made it clear he wanted Diana involved on the journey that he embarked on with Kate, first as his wife by presenting her with his mother's engagement ring.

Charlotte arrives for her first day of school in 2019 (Getty Images)
Being caried by her doting mum in Poland in 2017 (Getty Images)

"And then at Charlotte's christening because they chose the very church Diana was christened in herself."

Indeed, the couple paid its biggest tribute to Diana with Princess Charlotte's full name - Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

They however reportedly opted out of picking either the Queen's name or William's mother's name as their daughter's first name due to security concerns.

Diana's sparkling legacy lives on in so many ways (Bettmann Archive)

Mr Kay added: "I think he very wisely decided not to give Charlotte his mother's name as her first name.

"Everything she did and said would have been compared with her.

"By giving Diana as the middle name, it means Diana is still there."

Princess Charlotte shares one of her middle names with younger cousin Lilibet Diana, daughter to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Charlotte will live a life in the glare of the public eye (Getty Images)

Love the royals? Sign up for the Mirror's daily newsletter to get all the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm. Click here to sign up .

Perhaps disappointingtly for Royal fans, the Duchess of Cambridge has confessed she "won't have any more children" even if she is "broody."

William and Kate have three beautiful children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

And it looks like it's going to stay that way as she revealed the Duke doesn't want any more children.

During a visit to Bradford with William in 2020, Kate opened up about the possibility of another Cambridge baby.

While chatting with royal fan Josh Macplace, who excitedly told the royal that he has sent cards congratulating her after each of her three children were born, she revealed that it is unlikely she will become a mum of four in the future - and it's all because of William.

"I don’t think William wants any more," she told the 25-year-old.

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