Heartwarming photos of the Queen cradling King Charles at his christening are up for auction
A loving young mother! Heartwarming photos of the late Queen cradling King Charles at his Buckingham Palace christening are up for auction
A heartwarming collection of photos from King Charles’ christening will go under the hammer later this week.
The 74-year-old king was baptized in the Music Room of 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 moving black-and-white prints — which are being sold by Salisbury-based auctioneer Woolley & Wallis — show the late Queen lovingly rocking her firstborn, who was dressed in the royal family’s Honiton christening gown.
The long ivory dress – 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 after his christening at Buckingham Palace in December 1948
In the first image of the set, Princess Elizabeth – who was 22 at the time – is dressed in a smart coat with an ornate floral brooch on the lapels and a dark hat with a large bow on the top.
As she beams at the camera, the new mother lovingly holds the hand of Prince Charles – 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 – sitting on the arm of the sofa as he stares at his first grandchild.
On the other side of the late Queen, 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, pearl necklace and a pair of black gloves.
Prince Philip stands in front of the roaring fireplace, looking down at his son from behind the sofa – meaning the late Queen is the only person in the picture staring in the direction of the camera.
In addition, 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 picture 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 rocking King Charles again as her grandmother sits to one side and her father stands behind her
Dressed in a black dress and feathered hat, Queen Mary – who died a year after her son in 1953 – smiled at the camera as she posed with her great-grandson on her lap.
The last photo to complete the set shows the Queen rocking King Charles again as her grandmother sits to one side and her father stands behind her.
The official photos were taken by Sterling Henry Nahum – who also shot the official photos for the Queen and Prince Philip’s wedding.
Victor Fauvelle, painting specialist at Woolley & Wallis, said: ‘This collection is a wonderful archive of our royal family’s family history over the last century, and a moving reminder of the upbringing of our present king.
Sterling Henry Nahum (known as Baron) was a friend of Prince Philip and was the official court photographer for many years.
“He only missed the 1953 coronation because the Queen Mother preferred Cecil Beaton.
“The photograph showing our King’s christening, taken with his mother, grandfather and great-grandmother (Queen Mary) is particularly moving and contrasts sweetly in its seriousness with the more relaxed photograph of Charles with his parents.”
The prints go on sale in the Woolley & Wallis showroom tomorrow and are expected to retail for £150.