Christenings are universal in their importance and appeal, regardless of culture and circumstances. For Prince William and his wife, Kate, Sunday marked a major milestone in the life of their newborn baby Princess Charlotte.

The young princess, fourth-in-line to the throne, was christened on Sunday at St. Mary Magdalene Church, which sits on Queen Elizabeth II's Sandringham Estate.

The small and intimate christening was attended by a handful of select guests that included the Queen and the Duke of Edinburg, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Charlotte's maternal grandparents Michael and Carole Middleton. Kate's siblings Pippa and James were also in attendance.

Prince Harry was also invited but he is currently on a three-month tour of Africa.

The star of the occasion arrived in a pram pushed by her mother. She was dressed in a lace-and-satin christening gown that is a replica of the gown made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1841. Until 2008, the original gown of the princess royal was worn by all royal babies at their christenings.

The baptism was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby.

Royal christenings are usually grand affairs steeped in tradition, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are known to break from it when it comes to their personal lives. However, certain royal traditions were still kept, like using water from the River Jordan and the ornate Lily Baptismal Font, in the ceremony.

The couple also broke from tradition in their choice of godparents for Charlotte. Instead of choosing other royals, the parents picked five close relatives and family friends. To stand as godparents for Charlotte, the proud parents chose Kate's cousin Adam Middleton, William's cousin Lady Laura Fellowes and his close friends James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee. Kate's friend Sophie Carter rounded off the list.

Of course, William made sure that some memory of his mother, Princess Diana, was also felt in the service. The church he chose for the christening was where his mother was also christened. Mario Testino, the official photographer, was a favorite of his mother.

Sunday was only the second time Princess Charlotte was seen in public and the first time that the Prince and his small family were seen together. Acknowledging the fact that this will attract attention, the duke and duchess invited the public to a paddock field near the event.

Kensington Palace also released a statement saying that "The Duke and Duchess are hugely grateful for the warm wishes they have received since Princess Charlotte's birth -- many of them from local people in Norfolk -- and are delighted the paddock can be opened on the day of the christening."