After Baptism Outfits

That British royal christening gown is quite famous. I forget where I saw it, seems like it was when Prince George was baptized, the news mentioned in passing that the gown was a replica.

I was quite surprised at the time—a replica? Doesn't the royal family use the real thing for everything? Later I looked it up and learned the original was made during Queen Victoria's time, 1841, used for her eldest daughter's baptism. Victoria had just been married a year then, had her first child, held a big christening ceremony, specially had someone make this gown.

The Christening of Victoria, Princess Royal, 10 February 1841 — Painting by Charles Robert Leslie, Royal Collection

The Maker: Janet Sutherland

The person who made the gown was called Janet Sutherland, Scottish. I found that her family were miners, she herself was very skilled at making lace, later the Queen gave her a title. I forget exactly what it was called, anyway it meant something like royal embroiderer. She was thirty-four that year. When I saw this age I thought about it for a moment, what age was thirty-four in that era, should be considered middle-aged right.

Honiton lace craftsmanship (left) and Queen Victoria (right)

Elizabeth II wore it as a child. Charles wore it. William and Harry also wore it. Same piece of clothing, wash it and keep using it.

The Christening of The Prince of Wales (future Edward VII), 25 January 1842 — Painting by Sir George Hayter, Royal Collection

The End of an Era

In 2004 this gown really couldn't hold up anymore. The last to wear it was Lady Louise Windsor, Prince Edward's daughter. The Queen's dressmaker Angela Kelly later wrote a book, mentioned this matter in it, said that gown was already terribly fragile, at the ceremony guests' watches and bracelets bumping around, the fabric was about to fall apart.

Christening of Princess Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth II), 1926 — wearing the original 1841 gown

The Yorkshire Tea Secret

The Queen had Kelly make a replica. Kelly went to Italy to buy lace, bought it back and discovered the color was wrong. New lace was white, the original because it had been stored for over a hundred years had yellowed. Kelly thought of a method, use tea to soak it. She wrote in her book, said she used Yorkshire tea because it's the strongest. I don't remember too clearly exactly how she soaked it, seems like piece by piece separately soaked, soak for a few minutes to check the color, when it was about right take it out.

Yorkshire tea — the surprising secret ingredient used to age the new lace to match the original

Kelly's replica took nine months to make. Started using it in 2008, first to wear it was James, Louise's younger brother. Later George, Charlotte, Louis all wore this one for baptism.

Christening of Prince Charles, 1948 — wearing the original 1841 gown, with Princess Elizabeth and King George VI

European Royal Traditions

I later also saw that other European royal families also have heirloom christening gowns. Denmark has one, from 1870, made of Brussels lace. Sweden has one that started being used in 1906. What's interesting about the Swedish one is they later added a small cape, the inside of the cape has names embroidered, whoever wore it gets their name and baptism date embroidered. I think this approach is better than England's, the garment itself becomes a family record. The English one just gets worn, worn then put away, doesn't leave any traces.

• 🇩🇰 Denmark: Christening gown from 1870, crafted with exquisite Brussels lace
• 🇸🇪 Sweden: In use since 1906, featuring a unique cape with embroidered names and dates
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Original from 1841, replica in use since 2008

Amalienborg Palace, Denmark (left) and Stockholm Royal Palace, Sweden (right) — homes of cherished christening traditions

Preserving Memories

Speaking of traces I remember, storing old clothes seems quite particular. Once when I was moving I dug out my mom's wedding qipao, in a plastic bag stuffed in the closet for over twenty years, took it out and it was all yellowed, some places even had mold spots. Later I looked it up, said you can't use plastic bags, not breathable, moisture trapped inside will damage the fabric. Should use cotton cloth bags, stuff acid-free paper inside to prevent breaking at fold lines. But I think ordinary families who's going to buy acid-free paper, too much trouble.

Ordinary Families

Ordinary families' christening outfits don't have so many requirements. I see many people in America just buy a white dress, the kind that costs dozens of dollars, after the ceremony change out of it and done. Some people will spend a few hundred to buy better quality, thinking to use it for the next generation later, but truly able to pass it down probably aren't many. Kids' things, spitting up milk, getting dirty, maintaining cleanliness through one ceremony is already good enough.

A traditional christening gown — simple, beautiful, and practical for a single special day

Greek Orthodox Traditions

I have a friend who's Greek descent, she told me about their Orthodox baptism being quite different. Godparents have to prepare a whole set of things, called something like ladopana, has towels has bedsheets has white gown, plus olive oil and candles and such. At the ceremony they have to apply oil to the child, she said the inner layer clothing is used to absorb the oil. I haven't seen it with my own eyes either, just heard her talk about it, don't know exactly what it's like.