The replica of the Royal christening robe.

.

I would love to have had the chance to make the christening robe for Prince George.
It was a replica of the gown worn by Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1841.
It has been used for generation after generation of royal infants including the Queen's father King George VI, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, with Lady Louise Windsor being the last royal baby to wear the delicate ensemble in 2004.
But after years of wear, the original gown is now too fragile to use, so the Queen commissioned a replica in 2008, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex's son Viscount Severn became the first royal baby to wear the new robe at his christening in April of that year.

It was made by the Queen's dresser Angela Kelly and the team of dressmakers at Buckingham Palace, and features the same lengthy skirt and elaborate collars and bow as its predecessor. I love the length of the robe it dominates the photo drawing the eye to the baby and what the day is all about.

The original Honiton lace and white satin robe, which is now 172 years old, was last used in 2004, after which the Queen commissioned the handmade copy so the historic outfit could be carefully preserved.

   The original lace and satin christening robe was specially crafted for Victoria, the Princess Royal in 1841, by Janet Sutherland from Falkirk Scotland ( who received the title "embroiderer for the Queen")

 The replica robe made by the Queens dresser is such a lovely colour that Kate has matched it with her outfit, by Alexander McQueen.

The whole ensemble seems to co ordinate perfectly, maybe Angela Kelly had a hand in it all. Pippa wore a cream coat by Suzannah Crab and Carole wore another Catherine Walker  and I am going to guess that Camilla's hat is a Philip Treacy again! The cream and the blues of everybody work so wonderfully well that I feel it must have been orchestrated to create the perfect photo. I love the fall of Kate's frill complimenting Prince George's robe.