Why Princess Charlotte's Christening Gown Is the Ultimate Baby Re-Wear

The gown, worn by Prince George at his christening, is a recreation of a Victorian heirloom from 1841

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Published on June 30, 2015 04:10PM EDT

We know her brother, Prince George, is already a master of the re-wear. Now Princess Charlotte is poised to get in the game.

When the three-month-old princess is christened Sunday, she is likely to be dressed in the robe of fine lace that George wore at his 2013 ceremony.

She s expected to arrive with her parents Prince William and Princess Kate at St. Mary Magdalene Church, on the Queen’s Sandringham estate, in her Silver Cross pram and clothed in the gown that has now been seen at royal christenings since 2008.

A replica of an historic Victorian one first used in 1841, it was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth and stitched by her assistant Angela Kelly and Buckingham Palace’s team of dressmakers in 2008. It made its debut on James Viscount Severn at his service in the private chapel at Windsor Castle in April of that year.

Royal Flashback: Prince William and Prince George’s Christenings

The original gown was created for the christening of Queen Victoria s eldest daughter (also named Victoria). Made of Honiton lace in 1841, royal babies – including the current Queen and Prince William – were clothed in it until it became too fragile. It is now been preserved and is kept in storage by the family.

The newer robe was put on display along with another christening artifact, the Lily Font, at the summer opening of Buckingham Palace in 2014.

That silver baptismal font was another heirloom, also made in 1840 and for the same Victorian christening. Decorated with water lilies, which represent new life, and cherubs with harps, it has been a feature of royal christenings since then and is expected to be taken up from London to Norfolk 110 miles away for the service.

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