Princess Charlotte gifted £165k Snow White painting when she was just two-months-old
MANY kids receive a teddy or some cute baby grows when they are born - but not everyone is Princess Charlotte.
The royal tot is said to have been gifted the very lavish present of a £165,000 painting for her christening in July 2015.
The extravagant art piece was created by artist Stephen Cawston and it was a staggering seven feet wide.
The oil painting was a replica of the original billboard for Disney's 1937 Oscar-winning animation Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
It depicted the popular dark-haired character surrounded by her seven pals, along with Prince Charming, the Evil Queen and animals from the forest.
It was wrapped in bubble wrap and sent to Kensington Palace for the two-month-old Princess Charlotte.
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Luckily for collectors, the impressive artwork wasn’t the only copy made.
Stephen, who specialises in reproducing film posters, made a replica version that was estimated to be worth £164,988 - and it was set to be auctioned in 2022 by Dutch auction house Hessink.
At the time, it was thought that former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was interested in snapping up a copy for his own grandchildren.
Stephen’s art piece took a month to complete and was hard-drawn and painted onto the canvas.
Previously clients of his work include Guy Ritchie, who commissioned him to make a hand-painted poster for 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' for his wedding to Jacqui Ainsley in 2015.
Royal expert Katie Nicholls reported in Vanity Fair that the Snow White piece had been commissioned by a 'close friend' of the family.
A source said at the time: “It’s an amazing painting and very original.
“The artist has totally captured the magic of the film. William and Kate are going to be absolutely thrilled when they receive it."
It hasn’t been confirmed if and where the Prince and Princess of Wales decided to place the large work of art.
Though she might be a royal, Princess Charlotte has gotten some much more normal gifts – even from major political figures.
In fact, former Prime Minister David Cameron gave the little girl a classic childhood book: Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle decided to personalise their gift with an adorable cuddly toy version of the first family’s dog, Bo.
Given to Princess Charlotte during one of their last state visits to the UK, the couple also gave her a baby blanket, a puzzle and rocking chair.
Her mother and father, the Prince and Princess of Wales, also received a snow suit and sleepsuit during a royal tour of New Zealand.
Even her auntie, Pippa Middleton decided to opt for an essential baby item and gifted her then-infant niece biodegradable nappies made from natural mull cloth ($6/£4.70).
The little girl also gained quite the collection of rattles as a baby, but we doubt you’d find these in Boots or on Amazon.
Rather than going with plastic or cloth, Princess Charlotte once received a stunning 18k white gold rattle encrusted with glittering gems.
Whilst the inlaid diamonds, rubies and sapphires might mean you never take it with you in the buggy, it does make for an incredible keepsake.
According to the Natural Sapphire Company, the ornate gift is so valuable that they estimated it was worth around $44,000 (£34,786).
If that weren’t luxurious enough, the young princess also received a silver rattle from President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico.
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Surprisingly though, her grandfather King Charles went for a much more practical and eco-friendly alternative.
Instead, he gifted his first granddaughter a willow rattle handmade by Irish basket maker Ciaran Hogan – which was more than fit for royalty as it cost over £25.
