How Prince Louis's Christening Portraits Compare to Prince George's and Princess Charlotte's

Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux
Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux

From Town & Country

After almost a week of waiting, Prince Louis's official christening photos are finally here. The series of four portraits (three below and the one above) were taken by Matt Holyoak at Clarence House, the official residence of Prince Charles, after the littlest prince's christening on July 9 at the Chapel Royal in St. James's Palace in London.

Kate with her newly christened son in the garden at Clarence House:

Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux
Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux

The royals with the youngest Prince in the family:

Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux Camerapress_03616268_web.jpg
Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux Camerapress_03616268_web.jpg

All five Cambridges:

Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux
Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/Camera Press/Redux

While the portraits are quite similar to those taken in honor of George and Charlotte's christenings, one primary difference is the number of people in the photos. Since Charlotte was christened in 2015, Meghan Markle has joined the royal family. She and Prince Harry tied the knot back in May and became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

On the Middleton side, Kate's sister Pippa has also gotten married in the past three years. Her husband James Matthews also joined the family portrait. As evidenced by Pippa's slight bump in the picture, she and James are currently expecting their first child together.

While there were additions to the pictures, there were also members of the family missing. The Queen and Prince Philip did not attend Louis's christening, likely due to this week's busy schedule of events.

Additionally, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen a different photographer to take the christening portraits of each of their children. Prince George's christening photos were taken by Jason Bell on October 23, 2013 in the Morning Room at Clarence House. Princess Charlotte's christening photos were taken by Mario Testino on July 5, 2015 at Sandringham House, the Queen's country retreat.

Here's how the big group photos compare between the royal babies, both past and present.

Princess Charlotte's Christening, July 5, 2015:

Photo credit: Mario Testino - Art Partner
Photo credit: Mario Testino - Art Partner

At Princess Charlotte's christening, the family photo featured Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Camilla Parker Bowles, plus Kate's family: her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, plus her siblings, Pippa and James Middleton.

The Queen, seated next to Kate, is wearing pink, possibly to welcome a new baby girl. And proud grandparents Prince Charles and Carole Middleton are standing in the center, behind the Duke and Duchess and their two young children.

Prince George's Christening, October 23, 2013:

Photo credit: Jason Bell/CAMERA PRESS/Redux
Photo credit: Jason Bell/CAMERA PRESS/Redux

At Prince George's christening, the family photo featured the same group of people, with the addition of his uncle, Prince Harry, who is at the center of the photo alongside aunt Pippa Middleton. People reported Harry missed Princess Charlotte's christening because he was on an trip to Namibia working on an animal rescue project. And the Queen, also seated next to Kate, is wearing blue, as a possible nod to the baby boy.

Prince Harry's Christening, December 21, 1984:

Photo credit: Anwar Hussein - Getty Images
Photo credit: Anwar Hussein - Getty Images

Back in 1984, for Prince Harry's christening at Windsor Castle, the official portrait featured Princess Diana sitting with the Queen, and the Queen Mother, Prince Charles, and Prince Philip posing with several other relatives including Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd (in the front row on the far right), one of Harry's godmothers, Lady Sarah Chatto (in the back row on the far left), and his godfather, Prince Andrew (in the center of the back row, laughing) among other godparents. As seen here, Harry's cheeky older brother Prince William ended up stealing the show.

Prince William's Christening, August 4, 1982:

Photo credit: Anwar Hussein - Getty Images
Photo credit: Anwar Hussein - Getty Images

Prince William's christening photos, taken in 1982 at Buckingham Palace, are also a crowded affair. Princess Diana sits alongside the Queen and the Queen Mother, while Prince Charles, Prince Philip, and other friends and relatives including the Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra, and Diana's mother Frances Shand Kydd, stand behind them.

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