If you thought the official royal baby christening gown was beautiful, you wouldn’t be wrong. Though how it actually gets said beauty might well surprise you.
In a reveal absolutely no one was expecting, it turns out there is in fact one, perishable item used to enhance its rather regal appearance, and it’s something you’d never want to spill on yourself, let alone one of the most iconic children’s garments in the world.
In a brand new book written by the Queen’s former assistant and personal dresser, Angela Kelly, it has been revealed that the beautiful robe worn by Princes George and Louis, Princess Charlotte and Archie Harrison was in fact dyed with a tea bag.
Yep, you read that correctly, and we are revelling in the English-ness of it all.
The book, The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, The Dresser and the Wardrobe, has taken royal watchers by storm this week as a series of glorious snippets were revealed by HELLO! magazine.
“Together, we sourced lace to complement that being made in Italy, and to make sure it looked authentic we dyed it in Yorkshire tea (the strongest, as we all know),” wrote Kelly, explaining that the process was very well thought out.
“We placed each piece of lace in a small bowl, from the Dressers’ Kitchen, filled with cool water and a tea bag, and left it for about five minutes, checking regularly until the colour was perfect.”
The gown that each of the Cambridge children were christened in was, in fact, soaked in tea.
(Getty)The incredible garment is a replica of the original Victorian garment commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1841. It was worn by no less than 62 members of the royal family.
Kelly described how the tea-dying process for the new garment was painstakingly slow, but worth it.
“At each stage of the process, I would show our progress to the Queen: first the bodice, then the sleeves attached to it, then the skirt with the under-layers on, and finally the completed robe,” she said.
She revealed that the entire tea-filled production took no less than nine months. No small feat!
It was a process and a half, but you can’t deny the beautiful royal christening gown is something special.
(Getty)The beautiful gown was first worn by James, Viscount Severn, who is the son of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
And royal watchers were treated to seeing it quite recently – indeed baby Archie wore the incredible garment for his christening in July.
Mum Meghan Markle was also in the official picture released for the occasion. Seen cradling Archie, the Duchess of Sussex wore a stark white custom Dior design, which really highlights the effect the tea has had on the christening gown.
It’s almost a gorgeous champagne colour!
The tea-soaking effect is clearer than ever in this pic in comparison to Meghan’s striking white ensemble.
(Getty)The interesting tea-soaking feat was clearly well thought out by members of the royal family well ahead of the actual staining part.
So if you’re thinking of trying the effect on one of your own white creations, we’d recommend caution… and perhaps blocking out some serious time in the diary. Spare nine months, anyone?
WATCH: See Prince Harry adorably cuddle baby Archie in the background of Meghan’s interview during their South Africa tour:
