The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s daughter Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana will be christened on July 5.
Kensington Palace announced the date this morning (June 5) and, while her godparents have not yet been revealed, speculation is already rife as to who will do the honours.
Her godparents will be announced on the day but bookies are strongly favouring aunt Pippa Middleton, Kate's sister, and uncle Prince Harry as well as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Another contender is Hugh van Cutsem – a friend of Prince William and brother-in-law to the Chester-based Duke of Westminster’s eldest daughter Lady Tamara Grosvenor. She married Hugh's brother Edward at Chester Cathedral in 2004 at a ceremony which was attended by The Queen and Prince Philip.
Lady Tamara's younger brother Hugh, Earl Grosvenor, is already godfather to the couple’s firstborn Prince George.
Princess Charlotte will be christened in the same church – St Mary Magdalene Church on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate – as her late grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales and Countess of Chester who opened the city's hospital in 1984.
William and Kate’s decision to choose the same church where Diana was baptised follows their choice to give their daughter the middle name Diana in a poignant tribute to William’s mother.
An announcement by Kensington Palace at 11am today said: “Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce the christening of Princess Charlotte will take place on Sunday, 5th July at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.”
Princess Charlotte, who is fourth in line to the throne, will be baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, at a service attended by close family and godparents.
