Princess Charlotte, royal family pose for Mario Testino's christening portraits - Los Angeles Times
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Princess Charlotte, royal family pose for Mario Testino’s christening portraits

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They’re here! The official portraits from Princess Charlotte’s weekend christening have landed.

Kensington Palace released a quartet of Mario Testino’s portraits on Thursday featuring the British royal family in Sandringham after the 9-week-old princess’ baptism Sunday.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their whole family had a wonderful day on Sunday and were delighted to share the special occasion with the thousands of people who came to Sandringham,” the palace said in a statement. “They are very happy to share these photographs and hope that everyone enjoys them as much as they do.”

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PHOTOS: The royal family through the years

One image features mom and dad Catherine and William carrying their children in the garden. The white-clad Catherine smiles widely as she holds Charlotte, and Prince George raises his hand in his father’s arms.

The more formal of the portraits features quite a bit of the extended royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II, which is customary at these events. The indoor shot was taken in the Drawing Room and shows Wills, George, Kate, Charlotte and the queen seated on a formal sofa with Kate’s dad, Michael Middleton; sister Pippa Middleton; brother James Middleton; mom Carole Middleton; William’s father, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Charles’ wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, standing behind them.

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Absent from the portrait is Prince Harry, William’s younger brother, who was relegated to fifth in line to the British throne after George and Charlotte’s births. The 30-year-old royal is currently in Africa for charity.

Renowned portrait and fashion photographer Testino, a favorite of William’s late mother, Princess Diana, also shot William and Catherine’s iconic engagement photos. The photographer captured two sweet candid portraits of the foursome, which were published on the British monarchy’s Facebook page and Kensington Palace Twitter account.

Kate smiles down at a wide-eyed Charlotte in one snapshot and, in another, George smiles at the camera in a black-and-white candid with his dad. When George was baptized in October 2013, photographer Jason Bell was given the honor of shooting the portraits.

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The palace thanked Testino for his service upon publishing the photos on Thursday, and he tweeted: “I am honoured to be chosen to take these portraits on the occasion of Princess Charlotte’s christening.”

Hundreds of royal-watchers crowded St. Mary Magdalene Church on the queen’s private estate Sunday to celebrate the christening of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

Just like George, the young princess has a litany of godparents: Kate’s cousin Adam Middleton, William’s cousin Lady Laura Fellowes, Kate’s friend Sophie Carter and William’s friends Thomas van Straubenzee and James Meade.

Testino’s portraits are the first formal images of the Cambridges. Catherine released early images of her little prince and princess, which she shot herself, five weeks after Charlotte’s birth.

Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad

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