In honor of Princess Charlotte's christening, the Royal Mint has unveiled the design of the official commemorative coin marking the event.
Princess Charlotte's christening coin was designed by engraver John Bergdahl, who also conceptualized the design for Prince George's christening coin. The coin has a baroque-style oval frame, with harp-playing cherubs surrounding an inscription at the center of the coin that reads, "To celebrate the christening of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge 2015."
According to a statement obtained by E!News, both coins draw inspiration from the lily font that has been used in the baptism of royal babies since Queen Victoria's era. The new £5 coin will be made of gold to mark the royal celebration. It will also be available in silver, since it has been a long-standing tradition to cross a newborn's hands with the metal to bestow good health and prosperity.
Engraver John Bergdahl made Princess Charlotte's coin similar to her brother's, reports the Mirror UK, to symbolize the link between the royal siblings. Though Prince William and Princess Kate's youngest child had her full name written on the coin, George's coin did not feature his middle names.
Shane Bissett, Director of Commemorative Coin and Medals at The Royal Mint, said, "These coins will be a fitting addition to The Royal Mint's long tradition of creating works of art to celebrate landmark events in the history of the Royal family. It is entirely appropriate that we commemorate this significant occasion with the release of a special coin, just as we celebrated the christening of Prince George."
Princess Charlotte's christening will take place on Sunday, July 5, at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene at Sandringham, in Norfolk. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will be officiating the mass and will personally baptize the royal baby.
Mario Testino, who also took the official royal engagement photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton, was chosen to be the event's photographer. "I am overwhelmed and honoured to be chosen to document this occasion and to carry on the documentation of the family that is the soul of this country, a country that has given me so much," Testino said via press release.
The Royal Mint has already issued a limited edition £5 coin to mark the birth of the princess, states the Mirror UK.
