Heartwarming photos from King Charles' christening go up for auction

A doting young mother! Heartwarming photos of the late Queen cradling King Charles at his Buckingham Palace Christening go up for auction

  • The King was christened when he was just one month old in December 1948 
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A heartwarming collection of photos from King Charles’ christening are set to go under the hammer later this week.

The King, 74, was christened in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace when he was just one month old in December 1948.

The religious service was overseen by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher.

The touching black-and-white prints – which are being sold by Salisbury-based auctioneer Woolley & Wallis – show the late Queen lovingly cradling her firstborn, who was dressed in the Royal Family’s Honiton christening gown.

The long ivory gown – which was made of Spitalfields silk and Honiton lace – was commissioned by Queen Victoria  in 1841 for her daughter Princess Victoria to wear.

Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh pose with their son Prince Charles following his christening at Buckingham Palace in December 1948

In the first image of the set, Princess Elizabeth – who was 22 at the time – is seen dressed in a smart coat with an ornate floral brooch on the lapel and a dark hat with a large bow on the top.

As she beams towards the camera, the new mother lovingly holds Prince Charles’ hand – who is enjoying a nap.

Meanwhile, proud father Prince Philip – who was 27 – stands behind his wife dressed in a black morning suit.

The second image shows King George VI – who passed away just under four years later – perching on the arm-rest of the sofa as he gazes at his first grandchild.

On the late Queen’s other side, her mother looks lovingly down at a sleeping Prince Charles.

The Queen Mother looked elegant in a dark V-neck dress, which she paired with a matching hat, string of pearls and some black gloves. 

Standing in front of the roaring fireplace, Prince Philip looks down at his son from behind the sofa – meaning the late Queen is the only person in the photo staring in the direction of the camera. 

What’s more, the Queen’s grandmother Mary of Teck also held Prince Charles for her own individual portrait. 

The new mother and Prince Charles also had their photo taken with King George VI, the Queen Mother and Prince Philip

The late Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary of Teck, also posed for a photo with her great-grandson

The final image shows the Queen cradling King Charles once again while her grandmother sits on one side and her father stands behind her

Dressed in a black gown and feathered hat, Queen Mary – who died one year after her son in 1953 – smiled for the camera as she posed with her great-grandson on her lap.

The final photo to complete the set shows the Queen cradling King Charles once again while her grandmother sits on one side and her father stands behind her.

The official images were taken by Sterling Henry Nahum – who also took the official photographs for the Queen and Prince Philip’s wedding.

Victor Fauvelle, paintings specialist at Woolley & Wallis, said: ‘This collection is a wonderful archive of the family history of our Royal Family during the last century, and a touching reminder of our present King’s upbringing.

‘Sterling Henry Nahum (known as Baron) was a friend of Prince Philip and was, for many years, the official court photographer.

‘He only missed out on the 1953 Coronation because the Queen Mother preferred Cecil Beaton.

‘The photograph showing the christening of our King, taken with his mother, grandfather and great-grandmother (Queen Mary) is particularly touching and contrasts sweetly in its seriousness with the more relaxed photo of Charles with his parents.’

The prints will go up for sale at Woolley & Wallis showroom tomorrow and are expected to be bought for £150.

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