There’s more than meets the eyes to Royal portrait

IN MANY ways it’s a traditional royal portrait.

Taken by fashion photographer Mario Testino, the official christening picture of Princess Charlotte shows her greatgrandmother the Queen and three generations of successors – Princes Charles, William and George – at Sandringham, the queen’s Norfolk residence.

Look a little closer at the back row, however, and a fascinating picture emerges. For there at centre stage is the new royal matriarch Carole Middleton, elegant in a pale-grey Catherine Walker outfit, beaming with pride.

At George’s christening in 2013, Carole had been placed second from the end of the back row, with Prince Harry in the middle of the line-up. But with Harry travelling in Africa, Carole has taken his spot.

To her right is her son James, daughter Pippa (in a not all-together well-received clinging Emilia Wickstead cream dress) and husband Michael.

Only then, almost as an afterthought, does one notice Charlotte’s grandfather the Prince of Wales, and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as great-grandfather Prince Philip, to her left.

Carole’s ascendancy is evidence of the close relationship the Duchess of Cambridge enjoys with her family. Carole is a regular visitor to Kensington Palace, and after George’s birth Kate and William went to live with the Middletons in Berkshire for almost a month.

The Queen has also invited Carole and Michael to dine privately with her at Windsor and to join her carriage procession at Royal Ascot.

The main christening photograph, taken in the drawing room at Sandringham, also shows William, Kate and the Queen seated on a gilded floral sofa at the front of the group.

The picture is one of four released by Kensington Palace of last Sunday’s christening and is the only one that fits the traditional mould of a royal christening portrait.

One shows Kate, her Jane Taylor hat framing her face, gazing down adoringly at her daughter who stares directly at the camera, showing off what Kate likes to call her beautiful “Middleton eyes”.

A portrait of maternal affection, its informal nature, angle and lighting screams Testino, who although highly regarded was still a surprise choice for such a historic occasion. But the Peruvian-born photographer has long been a private favourite of the Royal Family.

Many are also likely to be enamoured with the black-andwhite shot of doting dad William holding George, who tur ns two this month. The prince gives a rare and cheeky smile for the camera and shows a full set of teeth. – Daily Mail