The Designer Of The Royal Christening Gown Revealed

The designer of the historic royal christening gown has been revealed as Janet Sutherland, the daughter of a Scottish coal miner from Falkirk, who received the title Embroiderer to the Queen for her efforts. The garment - worn by 60 royal babies since it was created for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1841 - will not by worn by Prince George when he is christened at St James's Palace on Wednesday, however, as it is now too fragile. He will instead wear a replica made by the Queen's couturier, Angela Kelly.

"I am very proud to think an ordinary woman from a working-class background could have designed such a beautiful robe," Sutherland's great-great-great niece, Patricia Perry, told the The Sunday Times. "I look forward to seeing the replica on Prince George."

The white Spitalfields silk-satin gown, which has cap sleeves and a Honiton cotton lace overlay, was created to resemble the dress that Queen Victoria wore for her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840. The garment has been worn by every monarch since Edward VII - and was also worn by Prince William and his father Prince Charles.

A Royal Christening

The gown was last worn by Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, in 2004, while her younger brother James, Viscount Severn, was the first to wear the replica in 2008.

It was also rumoured this weekend that photographer Jason Bell - known for his work with publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair and GQ - has secured the commission to photograph the christening. Although he declined to comment, the two other photographers thought to be on the shortlist with Bell - John Swannell and Jillian Edelstein - both confirmed that they had not been chosen.