Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are preparing for their first child’s christening, and some of the details were already revealed. Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will be baptized on July 6, and it will take place at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Intimate Event
The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex are determined to raise Archie Harrison as a private citizen, so his christening would be very exclusive, where only close friends and family are invited. This also means that unlike most of the royal babies’ christenings, Archie’s will not have photo ops, and the media will not be allowed to take pictures of the occasion, including the guests who are going in and coming out of the venue.
Despite this, fans can still get a glimpse of Archie’s christening as Meghan and Prince Harry are planning to release select photos days after the ceremony. They are likely to post the pictures on their official social media accounts.
Venue And Christening Gown
Archie will be christened at St George’s Chapel where his parents were married. It was also where Prince Harry was baptized in 1984, so it was easily chosen for the special memories it holds for the duke and the duchess. The two-month-old royal baby is expected to wear the Honiton lace christening gown typically worn by the royal babies at christening rites.
However, Archie will wear the replica made by Angela Kelly, Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe advisor, as the original gown is now deemed too fragile after being passed on for 163 years. Before it was preserved for good, it was already worn by 62 royal babies, including Prince Harry and William.
It was originally commissioned by Queen Victoria for the christening of her daughter, Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa, in 1841. It was last used in 2004 by Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s son will be baptized using the water from the Jordan River. Following the tradition of the royal family, the water will be poured on the baby’s head over the silver Lily Font.
Godparents And Guests
Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor, and Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, are expected to conduct the baptism rites. For the guests, Prince Charles and Camilla will be attending alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton. Doria Ragland, the Duchess of Sussex’s mother, will also fly back to the U.K. for her grandson’s baptism, while Queen Elizabeth will skip the event as she has prior commitments.
Serena Williams, tennis champ and a known close friend of Meghan, and Jessica Mulroney are both tipped to be godmothers. Mark Dyer and Markus Anderson, Harry’s close friends, may serve as baby Archie’s godfathers.
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