The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge finally released some portraits from Prince Louis’s christening, which was held one week ago. As you may remember, the Queen and Prince Philip did not attend the christening of Will and Kate’s third child, and the palace released a statement saying that the Queen had begged off weeks in advance. But Louis’s grandparents were in attendance – Carole and Mike Middleton, and Prince Charles – as were all of Louis’s aunts and uncles.
The portraits are quite good, with most of the family pics taken at Clarence House, where people were served seven-year-old wedding cake. There are a couple of photos of Kate holding Louis on her own, just the two of them, including one photo which was released hours after the first four portraits dropped. Louis and his little toothless grin! He’s adorable. And very fair, right? I think this child is going to be blonde with dark blue eyes. Prince George and Princess Charlotte BOTH look like they were bribed to sit still for the photos too. Notice William keeps his hand on George in all of the photos, because George has the look of a bolter. Anyway, very cute pics!
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released four official photographs to mark the christening of Prince Louis on Monday 9th July.
The photographs were taken by Matt Holyoak at Clarence House, following Prince Louis's christening. pic.twitter.com/v6mN6QDgrr
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 15, 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, following Prince Louis’s christening.
📷 by Matt Holyoak. pic.twitter.com/WCx7uZqTJl
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 15, 2018
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis in the garden at Clarence House, following Prince Louis’s christening.
📷 by Matt Holyoak. pic.twitter.com/GMOZDG4eaV
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 15, 2018
Photos courtesy of Matt Holyoak and Matt Porteous for Kensington Palace.
Kate is glowing, maternity really suits her.
She’s never looked more beautiful. I wish motherhood made me look like that!
Truly, she just radiates happiness. Motherhood seems to be her calling. Whatever else, K &W make beautiful children. That last pic of Louis….that gave me the biggest smile. What a smile that boy has! Something makes me think he’ll give Charlotte a run for the title of most mischievous of the family! I see more and more of a resemblance to Kate (in her baby pics).
Best pics of the family ever, hands down.
+1 so lovely and relaxed in these pics, and that is one adorable baby. The laughing pic at the bottom is too cute.
She is glowing, and Louis is a sweetie!
#4?
that last picture is truly stunning
Kate looks great, as for Prince Louis, he’s absolutely adorable. Nothing sweeter than a baby’s smile.
awww , how cute are these pictures! i’ve never seen Kate look so beautiful, i think she knows it’s the last baby and she is enjoying every minute of it.
Kate does look great and very different since Louis. IMO she’s truly in love with her last child, like he is her favorite-that’s how one of my friend’s looks at her favorite child. Her other 3 kids tease her all the time about it and she denies it LOL! But yeah Louis is clearly Kate’s favorite.
PS shut out to Princess Charlotte *my* favorite. Girl is dynamic even in still photography!
I think so too, there’s a new glow with Louis than with George and Charlotte. The Queen’s favourite was her third as well!
I wonder, to what extent, there’s a feeling that The Firm “owns” the rights to the heir and the spare (I know that’s an odd way to put it) and she gets to just enjoy the third — a child she chose and wasn’t pressured to have. A child that isn’t *needed* to ensure the throne — a child that’s truly hers, in a way. I dunno. Or she’s just happy to replicate the number in her own family.
It could be partly that, it could be that the third is simply easier, it could be because she really had to battle William to get him, it could be that she she gets more relaxed bonding time with him as G+C are in school/nursery during the day. We haven’t heard as many stories about Carole being a constant presence this time, whereas we did with the other two, so maybe she really does feel as though Louis is ‘hers’.
Good point @MILLENIAL, I never thought of that. Yes it could be the feeling (maybe unconscious) that Louie truly belongs to her and not the Firm or micro-managed by her mother. Because it’s obvious that everyone keeps noticing that Kate finally looks like she became a “Mom” and looks more the part of a “matriarch” after Louie was born. But lacked that look after George and Charlotte. She was also happier pregnant with Louie.
Not to say she doesn’t love her other two but we all know our parents have favorites, LOL. I was my Dad’s favorite and our older brother was my Mom’s, although they love all of us.
I feel this is how I look at my third (10 months old). My older two were difficult babies and born less than two years apart. Their babyhood, I was a sleep deprived wreck. My third has slept like an angel from birth, is super mellow, never fusses and is just pure joy. I don’t love her more than my older two but they’re big kids now and not a darling baby and I just delight in her. I feel for Kate in these photos.
These are so cute and sweet!
My favorites are the of Kate and Louis. She looks absolutely content and delighted, and he is a cutie.
Charlotte is adorable. She shines. How cute is her holding the baby’s hand? And the Christening robe in the other?
George is a cutie.
The rest of the family looks good too
I love that Char is holding the baby’s hand in the photo, and looking at him, you can tell she loves her baby brother. Louis himself seems like a really happy baby, that big grin is so sweet, I love babies. Kate looks very happy and content, and Will looks happy as well, they have a beautiful family.
Char is a real firecracker. I saw the video where she gave the press a dirty look and said they “weren’t invited.” Hahah. Nothing like a kid with attitude! But you can tell she really bonded with the baby.
AH that last photo is so precious. The photo editing is interesting, kind of vintage? I was a little sad The Queen wasn’t in the big family photo. :-/ They wrangled the littles well! Love their personalities.
Isn’t that the Queen’s picture in the wall? If some she was included in a way lol.
hahah true!
The color of the editing is a bit strange, yes. Also Will actually has MORE hair up front than that, and well, poor Harry’s hair is redder and thinner up on the back.
I love these pictures. Kate looks so beautiful and happy.
That last picture is adorable.
He does look fair.
No wonder Kate glows when she’s looking at him, he’s adorable.
They’re all wearing blue/cream.
Yes, except Megan. Was she just not told or does she feel a bit too grown up for matchy matchy colour coordinated outfits.
So what? I’ve never understood why everyone at a family gathering need to colour coordinate. They’re all individuals, and colours make things more interesting. Personally I’m not crazy about olive green, but I find it refreshing to see something else than pastels. The Queen herself has worn a multitude of colours over the years, and not necessarily in coordination with the others.
Of course, I’m not judging her and frankly the whole colour coordinated thing looks ridiculous in this group and most groups this large. I’m just interested why Meghan opted out.
My guess is Camilla wore what she wanted (I cant see her agreeing to color coordinate with Carole Middleton), and Kate and her mom and sister discussed outfits in advance. It just worked out that Camilla ended up in cream, since she tends to wear a lot of pastels in the summer.
Oh and the men almost always wear dark blue suits (especially William and Harry) so I don’t think that was planned in advance.
Someone on IG was complaining that they never put Charlotte in pink (and I guess as a princess she should wear pink all the time?) which first off – isn’t true, they do put Charlotte in pink/reds, and secondly…..that’s just dumb.
Just goes to show you that someone is always going to complain.
I think having some color theme makes the pictures harmonize and she looks like dressed for fall or some other event than christening with those colors anyway. If it was pink it might not match either for example but more fit to the occasion so I wonder why she wore this shade of green. Maybe it’s her favorite color or she does not really plan for what event she is buying dresses or she is trying to establish a signature style?
I’m not so sure Meghan intentionally “opted out” of anything. It does look like there was an effort made to ensure the men all wore blue ties which looks really lame to me. But Camilla frequently wears cream/white (except to weddings) and there was zero chance Kate would wear anything but white/cream since that pattern has been long-set for her children’s christenings. We hardly ever see Charlotte in anything but blue these days for official events (even though Kate says pink is Char’s favorite color and we used to see her in pink) and George’s blue shorts have become his in- and out-of-school uniform. That leaves Carole and Pippa to coordinate. I doubt they would have called up Meghan. Personally I think Meghan looked very nice. If she’d worn cream she’d have been criticized for trying to pull focus from Kate since everyone knew what color Kate would wear. Pink would have caused complaints too although formula dressing—blue for a baby boy, pink for a girl—seems so silly (and not a rule all the women who were godparents followed either.)
I just looked back at some of the christening pictures from George and Charlotte – the middletons all roughly coordinate (same color family) and the queen and Camilla did what they wanted. The queen wore blue for George’s and pink for Charlottes, so the above comment about formula dressing is funny when you consider that.
So, I think Kate wears cream because that’s her thing now for christenings, Carole and Pippa coordinate with each other and probably Kate (like I’m sure they knew her dress for George’s christening), and then the other women do what they want.
I remember a story dating from the Thatcher years. When Maggie was first invited to some sort of formal do featuring HM, she apparently asked royal courtiers what HM would be wearing so that she (Maggie) could be sure not to duplicate it or clash. The response was a frosty “The Queen does not notice what other people are wearing.”
I don’t know that there’s any formal clothing coordination whatsoever. Most of the royals have a uniform of sorts, though, and they generally agree with each other.
Now this is a portrait. There is something about Prince Louis that makes his mother shine. He is one beautiful child. The future is his. He’s adorable. I’m a babbling pregnant lady but this baby knocks me out. The other two aren’t bad either!
Is it me or does she seem calmer, happier with this baby? Like less stress, in love and like I got this!
You and your twins. lol I am still feeling like you cursed me from afar. I am only joking.
He is sweet little baby isn’t he? I get the feeling Louis is HERS.
Miss magnoliarose: What do you have against twins….lol. I happen to be a twin, as is my mom. Who are we to question fate! Yes, Louis is her baby. He is the youngest and brings out the mama bear in her. The kid is cute, he knows what’s up! Happy Manic Monday Girlfriend!! *I’m being Kate-ish, don’t want to know the gender of the babies, although I’m pretty sure at least one is a boy….this is in the nobody cares but me category!*
Whaaat?!!@Nancy😀💐❤️Congratulations!I recall you saying you’re a twin,but didn’t realize you are carrying twins.I wish you health and comfort in this muggy Ohio weather.BTW my husband is a triplet-just a little info to add,can you imagine 3 at once?Sending you my best!
A twin having twins?! Wow. That makes me smile for some reason. I always wanted to be a twin when I was little. I even had an imaginary twin sister friend when I was 3.
I have twins in my family and there is a pattern of twins. One person has two sets! I always thought I was done with having children but things change. 🙂
Congrats, Nancy! How exciting!
He’s a beautiful baby, I love these photos! Congratulations on your twins, Nancy!
Spicecake & SophiaSE: Thanks ladies! Wow, your husband is a triplet! How cool! My sister and I have friends that are triplets, two boys and a girl. They look nothing alike. Sis and I are identical. For some reason, heat not getting me yet, but 90’s all week. Blah. @Mags: An imaginary twin….lol. I would have given you mine when we were little….jk!! I, being the free spirit that I am thought the twins were a gift because of the loss of my brother. But reality told me it’s in the genes!! Everybody, enjoy the rest of the day. *Magnoliar: I thought I was done as well, till I got pregnant with my almost two year old. I thought I was in menopause with her and then again this time. Don’t ask me to plan an event!*
Lovely family pics. But Charlotte is the star. That little girl has such personality and it shows in every photo.
I love her expression in the picture where the family of 5 are standing. She is sweeping aside the christening gown and saying “this is for my adoring public!”
Also it is great to see George so happy in the first photo. He rarely looks happy to be photographed.
Honestly, I always think Charlotte is ready to ascend to the throne NOW. Clearly, she is the Queen’s mini-me and most perfect heir. I think George will not want it.
I think George had his moment to shine, then Charlotte was born! She does seem to rule the roost. I love every kid I see lately, except for any Kardashian baby that I am sick to the heavens of seeing. Sorry boos! Charlotte for Queen! Thanks for the grats LahdidahBaby! My baby has a wombmate! Twinning!!
I was seeing the portraits of the Christening of the three Cambridge children, and I have just realised how timeless they look. I get now why George is dressed like that.
Seeing the portraits one after the other, I also appreciate how Kate has chosen to repeat the color of her outfits but with different styles. There’s a coordination that I can now appreciate. Well done
i agree, there is a timeless feel to these pictures. It makes sense to me why kate wears such boring clothes (coat dresses are essentially the female royal version of a suit) especially in these events, in 30 years time,these pictures will be pulled out again when Georges/charlotte/louis have their own kids, and they won’t look dated.
So smart move, it feels like she has studied old royal photographs and picked the elements she liked best to recreate.
I really like this photographer’s style. This is definitely the best set of christening portraits, IMO.
George is really turning out to be a little version of his father. Their smiles are identical. Beautiful family.
I think George looks a lot like his grandpa Middleton.
Wonderful photographs of a darling child. Love the one with Louis and Kate with the big smiles.
These are great pictures, beautiful family. That one from today with smiley Louis is adorable and Charolette is the star of the royal family. The queen then Charolette haha she is amazing.
Will say that Meghan’s dress really doesn’t fit, and stands out when you see the family pictures everyone in spring bright colors and her in military fall color. I’m sure she wasn’t thinking of that but I do know that if Kate had worn such a stand out color there would be endless articles and comments that she was trying to pull focus because she is jealous and hateful etc etc. but here nothing (there shouldn’t be but I would love for these women to be treated equally) so next time Kate wears heels let’s just not attack her.
I actually thought just the opposite. That even though Meghan’s dress doesn’t match Camilla or Carole or Pippa, it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. She matches the carpet in front of them and the decor of the room as much as any other woman there. I think she looks fine and it doesn’t detract from the photo at all. Like if she’d worn bright yellow, then she would clash. She looks lovely.
I also think dragging Kate for how tall, how high her heels are, or hat is, is pure nitpicky nonsense.
I agree. I think Meghan’s dress is a perfect fit with this color family of outfits and room decor. (She a great match to the couch, actually.)
They really are a beautiful family, aren’t they? Kate is just glowing. And such happy kids, these pics just make me happy. I like seeing joy.
The photos are georgeous. The photographer should take all of their portraits from now on. On a side note, I didn’t realize Camilla was petite. I assumed she was 5’8 or 5’9. Meghan towers over her and she isn’t really that tall. Maybe Camilla is wearing flats and Meghan heels?
Maybe Camilla shrunk. She used to look taller. So did Charles.
I think Camilla & Charles are sitting, and Meghan & Harry are standing.
The posed pictures are fine – pretty, classic, fine – but that last picture of Kate and Louis is really great. Its so nice to see his face, see that laughing expression. That’s a fantastic photo.
Kate really adores Louis.
These are nice portraits of a family and a new baby. Louis grinning is seriously adorable.
Awwwwww, the last picture put a smile on my face.
Oh God, this is so amazing. Charlotte is the obvious star. They all look good but Meghan usually disappears when she’s in a group of people.
Sweet Lord, my ovaries can not handle that last one. These pictures are so beautiful! Kate really looks so happy and settled. Charlotte is such a sassafras, I can’t stand it.
Looks like the photographer did a little color manipulation to tone everyone to the room. Harry and William’s ties look color matched to the drapes and carpet. I do wish Meghan had gone for a different color. I love olive, and like wearing it, but it seems drab next to everyone else, especially with the filter on it.
OMG, you are too funny! Your ovaries can’t handle the last one. You sound like me….lol. I didn’t even notice Meghan back there in her drab fugly dress. Someone please tell her it’s summer!!! Little George is at the age where he has the big wide silly smile, so cute.
Kate is head over heels in love with Louis! The way she looks at him is beautiful.
The pictures are wonderful and Kate looks absolutely gorgeous. I think this is my favourite set of pictures of them.
Love all the pix except for that of the five of them in what appears to be a badly lit office hallway.
Agree. Reminds of the Xmas pics.
Seriously though Kate does look beautiful, and she seems to really be enjoying this baby.
Beautiful pictures! Louis is absolutely adorable and precious. Kate is radiant. Charlotte has such a dynamic personality and George’s smile is sweet!
The Cambridges look like one solid family unit. We can say whatever we want about Carole and the Middletons, but I think they have helped create the Cambridge family that we see now. The children are obviously happy and healthy and well taken care of. It’s not just nannies that did that, it’s the stable and constant presence of parents and grandparents. George and Charlotte’s personalities shine through even in pictures and that comes from a nurturing, loving home.
This is the best I’ve ever seen Kate. She is radiant and truly lovely. So much more confidence. And Louis is darling, a spitting image of his mom as a baby. I’m truly happy for her – you can tell how much she loves being a mum.
George and Charlotte are cute too. Charlotte’s personality just radiates from these photos – I especially love seeing her hold the baby’s hand.
Kate has come into her own and I’m here for it.
Yes, Charlotte holding Louis’ hand is just darling!
Beautiful photos, and everyone seems very happy.
Kate and the baby are beautiful!!!
For some reason, Harry seems serious in these photos, like he’s forcing himself to smile. DM commented on it too.
Beautiful family! I love the last shot of Kate and Louis. I agree that Kate had seemed relaxed and happy. I don’t think it’s because she favors Louis over the other two children. Rather, the joy we see now vs the stress and General discomfort we saw before makes me wonder if Kate suffered with postpartum depression after George and Charlotte’s births. Her smile seem genuine; her joy is palpable.
I recall thinking that one of her Heads Together speeches in the past alluded to PPD. I think it would be a great thing for Kate to address through Heads Together – it links in with her status as a mom and it would bring great strides toward destigmatizing PPD.
I was thinking the same thing. I knew I had PPD after my first, that went away after about 4-6 months, but it wasn’t until my second was born that I understood how it actually affected me. I do think some of that was just having a second child – I always say that with the second one (And I’m sure even more so with a third, fourth etc) you realize how temporary it all is and I think it makes it easier to cope with the hard stuff. But, I definitely had PPD with the first which also obviously made it harder.
Anyway – so I look at Kate with Louis and I kind of see myself with my second. I was much happier in pictures etc – and its not because I loved my second more, its just because I wasn’t battling depression at the same time.
I went through the same thing with my first—I didn’t really have PPD but I was more anxious and stressed as a new mother. With the second I was definitely more confident.
Awww I hadn’t seen that last picture with Louis with his mouth wide open all excited with Kate looking so blissed out. She’s been so serene and radiant looking since her third pregnancy. Great family pictures!
Truly beautiful! She is so happy and that baby is adorable! I actually really enjoy her headpiece! Maybe she knows her 3rd will be her last baby, so she’s truly cherishing each second?
Omg that last picture 😍😍😍 I want to know who little Lou was looking at to get that grin! Uncle Harry goofing off? Or Charlotte sassing everyone around? Too too cute!
These are stunning portraits. I’m not a big fan of babies usually. If I see a cute dog, I’ll always say hello but babies? Meh. (But of course I adored my own!) But this little Louis is flat out adorable.
So, I’m wondering why Prince Philip took a helicopter on Thursday to attend the christening of and become godfather to the “child of Thomas and Alexandra Hooper, daughter of Earl Mountbatten – grandson of Philip’s uncle Lord Louis Mountbatten.” (from DM). I mean, he attended this christening but not that if his own flesh and blood great grandson. Just wondering.
I don’t get why someone asks a 97 y/o to be a godparent. Is it to get the child into the will?
I would think that particular instance is purely symbolic because Philip was so close with Lord Mountbatten.
Oh Queen Charlotte, love her
Holy filter, batman! I bet the photographer loves himself a bit of Gingham on IG.
Love the family photos though. Absolutely gorgeous.
Aww LOOK AT HIM SMILING!!!
Sweet
Wow, Louis is alert and bright — and seems so big for what, 2 1/2 months old ? I thought that seeing him asleep in her arms at church that he looked “big” for his age. But that garden picture of him laughing really reinforces that to me — he looks 4 or 5 months and majorly cute. I bet he’s laughing seeing George and/or Charlotte. Babies in my family always seemed to crack up just seeing their older siblings.
I don’t know what it is about this last baby, but Kate looks utterly transformed now – she looks so very happy and so much more relaxed. The baby is adorable, and the formal christening photos are lovely.
The Wimbledon photos, both days, also show something radiantly happy coming from Kate – she is just so much more relaxed and normal and spontaneous seeming.
I thought the same thing, she’s seemed different, more content and secure, from the moment she stepped out of hospital with Louis! She was smiling at Louis like we’ve never seen before, my immediate thought was that he is her favorite. (Not that she doesn’t love George and Charlotte too) I also attribute some of her new serenity to having Meghan enter The Firm.
TOTAL speculation, but my first two were close together and I struggled with PPD. My third and last, there was more time between them and I left the hospital with meds. HUGE difference! Not that my sweet babies had anything to do with it, but by number three I was in my groove, my other two weren’t babies, and I was appropriately medicated, all of which made such a difference! Wonder if some or all was true for her too?
Agree, IMO something is different with Kate after this birth. Either she had PPD with the others, or she has really hit her mommy groove, but she looks radiant. Maybe she is getting treatment or medication that she didn’t get before. Or something has clicked and she is just confident and happy. There’s no denying her happiness.
She does seem different. I noticed it lately too but it started before the baby was born. Maybe Kate has done some counseling? I mean she chose mental health and it could be because she relates in some way? PPD or something?
She glows with her children and it will be fun to see Louis as she grows. That happy grinning baby picture is just heartwarming.
I have no idea as I obviously don’t know her, but it seems she wanted 3 because that was the style of the family she grew up in. She maybe feels at peace because Louis rounded out her family. I felt that way after my third baby. She completed our family and I felt like “OK, we are whole.”
Ms. Turtle: It’s hard to write that without laughing! She had her heir and a spare, so Louis is her little extra. Something about that little baby, he looks like he could belt out a song, or write his name. LOL, he seems very special and happy, as does she. I was happy with 1, happier with 2, surprised with 3 and shocked with FIVE, but I love them all as one.
I agree, there’s something really radiating from her now. The kids are all adorable. I think Kate does well with her style given the constraints she has on being future Queen Consort. I think she actually prefers looking older and more matronly. She’s loving motherhood. She also played out her college days looking foxy so this is a natural progression.
I have a gut feeling she will have one more…and relatively soon. She loves motherhood and it clearly suits her. I would not be surprised at all if they had one more and then called it a day on having kids. We shall see.
Kate looks absolutely beautiful! Great pics.
I think that such picture can’t be faked. It radiates true happiness. Luis is her favourite, maybe you’re right, he’s the last one and he’s trully hers and she did her job. 3 gorgeous kids and she enjoyes every single moment. For all the bad things I trully believe motherhood was her true calling. And this sign no sign of postpartum depression. Good for her. (I’m a bit jealous since I don’t like kids so I’m sure I’ll never experience what Kate and so many other do)..
why is the baby wearing an urban outfitters dress?
Kate is, and always has been, a beautiful woman 💕 Her children are also really beautiful 💕
Its too bad a portrait couldn’t be done once the Queen was available again. Maybe they did and its a private picture. I was really suprised to read that Prince Phillip flew by helicopter to be the godparent of a Mountbatten baby. I understand his connection to the Mountbattens but he and the Queen couldn’t manage their great grands christening and were given a “pass” in light of their age and vigor.
They didn’t attend Isla Phillips’s christening in 2012 either so it’s not a first miss of a great-grandchild’s ceremony. It likely was the Queen who decided not to attend, not PP. But I wouldn’t have expected PP to attend Louis’s without her either. The ceremony Philip went to where he was named as a godparent may have been planned first and the other obligations TQ had that week certainly were planned before Louis’s date was set. The palace said TQ’s planned absence was known to W&K from the time the date was set as well. I just don’t see it as a big deal.
The last picture is stunningly adorable!! Awww. Kate looks better than ever.
That last photo of Kate is actually breathtaking. Well done, photog. (I normally find her quite frumpy and off, as a lot of folks here do as well.)
I canNOT with MM’s pancake hat, however. Well, any of those hats. What the heck is Kate wearing?
Matt the photographer is really great. I dare to say better than famous Testino.
MAybe she seems so relaxed because the queen isn’t there?
I…somehow missed the fact that Kate and William had a third child.
It’s been Harry and Megan! Harry and Megan! all summer and I…didn’t even realize she’d been pregnant. Wow.