Sunday 17 March 2019

Godfather Harry and Meghan Attend Lena Tindall's Christening

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were photographed attending the christening of Lena Tindall at a low-key ceremony in Gloucestershire yesterday. Prince Harry was chosen as one of the godparents for Mike and Zara's daughter. Click here to view more images on the Mail.


Below, Mike arriving with Lena, Zara, Meghan and the Queen.


Zara Tindall is William and Harry's first cousin. They've always been incredibly close growing up and into adulthood. Below Harry with Mike and Zara during the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014.

Embed from Getty Images

Nine-month-old Lena is the couple's second child; their eldest daughter Mia is five, and Prince William is one of her godparents. Before the arrive of Lena, the Tindall's suffered two heartbreaking miscarriages. Very bravely Zara spoke about their painful journey: "I think that's the hardest thing in our situation, is that everyone knew. And very much when things like that happen, normally it's just your family and friends, but unfortunately everyone knew about it. Being helpless is horrible... actually we've now come out the end of it, hopefully it makes you a stronger family." I've always thought Mike and Zara come across as a really down-to-earth, warm and engaging couple.


As we've noted at several events, Meghan appears to get along wonderfully with Zara's mother Princess Anne. Most recently, we saw the pair enjoying a chat at a reception celebrating Charles' fifty years as Prince of Wales.


The service was held at St Nicholas Church in Cherington, Gloucestershire.


More from the Mail Online:

Nine-month-old Lena, her youngest great-grandchild, was christened at the same church where her sister Mia and cousin Isla Phillips were blessed previously. She was carried from the service in her christening gown by her father, former England rugby player Mike Tindall. Zara’s parents Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, who divorced in 1992, were also there.
The Rev Dr Gerald South, the priest in charge, said the service was ‘lovely’ but declined to comment further. An onlooker said: ‘There were between seven and ten police cars discreetly parked in a farmyard on the edge of the village, and we saw a few bobbies dotted around the village. But considering the number of royals in attendance, it was a surprisingly low-key event.’

The Duchess selected a vintage Dior Haute Couture silk brown coat, circa 1950 from William Vintage (another terrific find from UFO No More).

Meghan's navy hat looks identical to the Stephen Jones beret she wore for the service to mark the Centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey (with thanks to Mae).


The Duchess carried her Victoria Beckham Vanity Box Leather Tote. She first carried it for a visit to her patronage Smart Works in January.


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In other news, the Duchess has contributed to a report for her patronage, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, working to deliver higher education by 2030.


Meghan writes: "It is important to note that for many young people around the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the opportunity to achieve their full potential through education can simply feel out of reach. Whether it is cost prohibitive or that the cultural stigma in their specific community restricts their ability to attend by virtue of their gender, race or creed - the ACU seeks to break through these boundaries."

52 comments:

  1. How delightful! I wonder if William is godfather to Mia.

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    1. Yes, If memory serves me he is indeed :)

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  2. Wonderful surprise! Meghan is looking beautiful as usual. Love the vintage look.

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  3. Hmm i love the duchess outfit she seems to pop up anytime soonn

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  4. Shot silk, eh? Class! 👌

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    1. William Vintage is Amal Clooney’s ‘go-to’ shoppe.

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  5. I really love that she's buying more vintage pieces lately. She looks great as usual! BTW Charlotte I believe Meghan is wearing the same blue hat she had on during the evening Remembrance day church service last year (the one where she's wearing the blue suit).

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    1. Well spotted Mae, I think you're correct, thank you!

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  6. I love that Meghan wears vintage fashion! I adore vintage clothing myself. She selects some really stunning pieces and it’s environmentally friendly as well!

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  7. And it looks like the traditional royal family christening gown for Baby Lena?

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  8. Rhonda - Wisconsin18 March 2019 at 01:51

    Fabulous news for Harry! We still have not seen a really good picture of baby Lena. Charlotte - do you think any photos will be released from the Christening? Cant wait for Baby Sussex!!

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  9. What a pleasant surprise. Thank you, Charlotte. Very nice coat, I like it. She looks lovely. I enjoyed reading the letter written by the Duchess of Sussex. She hasn’t slowed down much.

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  10. What a beautifully written statement showing Meghan's passion for higher education and the individual and broad impact it can have! She will work tirelessly to bring the goals of the Association of Commonwealth Universities to fruition. What an unexpected treat to see her today! She looks lovely in her vintage coat.

    R

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  11. I love her vintage looks. I hope she continues in this direction after her pregnancy too!

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  12. So happy to see Meghan that she can even carry a potato bag if it tells her lol

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  13. Royal 👑 Watcher18 March 2019 at 08:33

    Oh wow, love the vintage coat. Pure class.

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  14. I bet that Zara will be a Godmother to baby Sussex.Since the baby will be baptized into the Church of England, all of the Godoarents must be church of England as well. I think that requirement for this sacramental ceremony would rule out many (most?) of Meghan’s friends/family, though perhaps the Beckhams are Church of England.

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    1. I didn't know/think of that. Sounds like it would eliminate Meghan's friends.

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    2. Becca H in Colorado18 March 2019 at 15:15

      I didn't know that was a thing. If it is, I'm sure Meghan will make one or two of her friends "unofficial" godparents.

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    3. I don’t think (although I’m not sure) that the CoE thing is really a thing.
      For example King Constantine is one of William’s godparents and I highly doubt he is a CoE member.

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    4. In the Church if England, Godparents have to be of the religion the child is being baptized into. In the sacrament of baptism the Godparent are there to agree to help the parents guide their children in their spiritual and religious lives and to insure that the child is raised in accordance of the teachings of the church. Since the Queen herself is the Head of the Church of England, the equivalent of the Pope for the Catholics, it would not be likely that any attempt would be made to have non-religious, non- Church of England Godparents.

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    5. That isn’t true, they don’t have to be Church of England. The CoE works on the reciprocal principle with the sacrament of christening, meaning they accept the sacrament of other Christian religions -Catholic, Orthodox, most Protestant denominations, etc. as valid.
      Jessica Mulroney would be out though since she is Jewish.

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    6. I just googled it. They don't have to be members of Church of England to be godparents of the child.
      https://churchofenglandchristenings.org/godparents/do-godparents-have-to-be-baptized-in-the-church-of-england/

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    7. That opens up the field then! Hopefully they'll leave some people out and save them for the next baby. :)

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    8. Anonymous 16:27: The Queen’s position of head of the CoE is nothing like the Pope. It’s not even equivalent to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Pope Francis is the spiritual father of all the world’s Roman Catholics. He can make Church law. He is considered to speak with God’s voice. It’s not remotely the same. Elizabeth doesn’t rule on religious law.

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  15. Knock out coat. Love the cut and color and Meghan looks great in vintage. She did appear to look either a little tired or uncomfortable in a couple of the pictures - maybe Baby Sussex will decide to appear early. Love seeing her with Princess Anne they really seem to enjoy each other's company. It was a nice surprise to see her sudden appearance. Harry looked good as well. Charlotte, I don't know how you manage to keep on top of all this but I'm sure glad you do. Thank you. Can't wait for the baby's arrival.

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  16. Harry looked peeved, perhaps because of the photographer. I don't know much about christenings, especially in the UK -- is 9 months a bit long to wait? Lena looked absolutely adorable and so cute cuddled with her father. Zara was lucky to find such a great guy.

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    1. The Cambridges had all their between 3 to 4 month after the birth. It's common in Europe to do it rather close to the birth than 9 month after it.

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    2. Not sure if I would wear a blue hat and a black purse with a brown coat having black buttons.

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    3. As long as the child is baptized into the church, do the semantics really matter?

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    4. The baptism time-table is not really important. Traditionally a baby is baptized as soon after birth as possible, because if the baby were to take ill and die before being babtized it is believed that it will not go to heaven. So, many years ago when childhood diseases were more rampant babies were baptized much sooner, sometime the day of the birth. With the advances in modern medical care, many couples postpone the baptism to fit in with family members diaries and the diaries of the parish, and clergy.

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    5. I read that someone also noticed a lovely brown coat with big black buttons and black handbag, with a navy French-inspired cap that does not go with the outfit, if the cap was black, then the outfit would have been perfect.

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  17. The vintage coat is wonderful. The beanie and box purse take away from the look. Congratulations to the happy parents and best wishes for the little girl.

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  18. Love that vintage coat, beautiful color too. Great photos, especially Mike Tindall so lovingly holding Lena.

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  19. Becca H in Colorado18 March 2019 at 15:14

    I love this look on Meghan, especially the re-wear of that adorable French-inspired cap.

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    1. I wish she had worn a cap in this style to the event at the Abbey last week; so much more flattering a look for her.

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  20. What is the difference between "vintage" and "retro?" Kate is said to wear many retro themed outfits while Meghan is said to wear vintage, sometimes actual preserved items made during the time, as this is, apparently-maybe that is what vintage means. I hope to see them again. It would both be a shame to wear them just once but also to cut down the volume of the coats for non-maternity wear.
    Clothing styles from the 50's and 60's seem to be Meghan's preference while Kate seems to be more 30's and 40's, I think. Remember her Allie McGraw look? I guess that's 60's. That would make a great post for both MAM and DKG. A style overview of outfits with a feel of other times. Hint Hint. ;)

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    1. Vintage clothes are actually old, while retro pieces are made with an old style or design but are made with new or contemporary materials

      http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/fashion-beauty/difference-between-retro-and-vintage/

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    2. My understanding is there is a technical difference between "vintage" and "retro." Vintage means an item of clothing is actually old. Retro is simply a style. So, a piece of clothing could be made today but look like something you would have seen in a previous fashion cycle and that would be considered "retro." Vintage would be a piece of clothing actually manufactured years ago.

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    3. Vintage is actually made in the 40ies, 50ies, 60ies and preserved. Retro is made in the present using shapes and pattern from the past. So, yes, you are right.

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    4. Vintage clothes are older, not new, from another era. They may or may not have been worn depending on their individual history. Think found in an esteemed with tags still on. Retro design is a new garment that is styled with elements of another style period. Tie dye for instance was first seen mostly in the 60-70s. Some big shoulders are similar to the 40s look while extremes harken to the 80s. A vintage designer piece may be found in a museum.

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  21. Caroline in Montana18 March 2019 at 15:54

    Interesting outfit. I really like the purse. somehow this all did not seem to go together? the blue hat seemed really out of place. wouldn't you wear a black hat with a black purse and black buttons on your coat? cant see what color her shoes are but id think they were black? not sure what color to even call this coat. she looks ready to pop, cant wait for them to be a family. I think Zara looks great, love the pop of color with her shoes and hat!

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  22. I am going to give away my ignorance here. But what does Vintage Dior Coat mean?
    I know vintage cars means cars older than a certain age, but what does it mean when it comes to clothes?
    Is it a new coat made on an old Dior pattern? Is it an old Dior coat that was never sold and somebody found in the storage room? Is it (unlikely at that price but I am considering all options) a fancy name for a second hand coat?
    I hope somebody could explain this to me, since Meghan seems to like Vintage William, so this topic is likely to come up again.

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    1. Vintage is never new. Vintage is a clothing items made a time ago (though people’s interpretation of how long ago that should be differs). A lot of times these items are secondhand. Believe it or not, there is a demand for secondhand vintage items among fashion people because of the history, craftsmanship, quality that doesn’t always exist to the same extent today.

      William Vintage, if I’m understanding correctly, sells luxury secondhand vintage but also their own vintage-inspired designs under their own label.

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    2. Rachel, I'm also confused about this!

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  23. Vintage= used clothing, second hand; many charity shops/thrift shops use this term for their garments
    Retro= new clothes made in an older style; from an older pattern and material style.

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  24. Shopping for vintage clothing is very similar to shopping for antique furniture. They can be found in stores that specialize in verified vintage items, auction houses & estate sales. Some families pass down valuable vintage items only to have family members auction them off to the highest bidder, much like art.

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  25. This is fabulous - I love her preference for classic design. Perfect coat, color, hat, everything! She sure looks heavy. Definitely time to "put her feet up!"

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  26. The navy cap that does not go with the outfit, if it was a black cap, the outfit would be perfection. Doesn’t she have a stylist to give constructive advise.

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  27. Navy and brown look nice together. Meghan may very well be wearing Navy shoes. And navy and black are seen in combination nowadays. Sometimes our eyes need to adjust to new colour combos!

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  28. Looks like Meghan isn't wearing her engagement ring, just her wedding ring.

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