Everything we know about Harry and Meghan's baby's christening so far
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will be christened this week, according to reports.
The royal tot, who is seventh in line to the throne, will be two months old when the ceremony takes place.
Meghan gave birth to Archie on May 6, 2019 at The Portland Hospital in London.
The couple have decided to keep the service “completely private,” reports The Sunday Times - which has divided public opinion after it emerged last week that renovations to their home Frogmore Cottage cost £2.4m.
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While royal baptisms are always private, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have allowed the media to capture their arrival at all three of their children’s christenings.
It’s understood that official photos from Archie’s christening will be released in the following days after the service instead.
When is the christening?
The service will reportedly take place on Saturday 6 July at a private chapel inside Windsor Castle, rather than St George’s Chapel where Harry and Meghan were married last year, according to Hello!.
Who is attending?
Archie’s grandfather the Prince of Wales and step-grandmother the Duchess of Cornwall are both expected to attend, along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
It’s unclear whether Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be present at their cousin’s christening.
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It’s likely that some of Princess Diana’s family will attend, as William and Harry have remained close to the Spencers. Their mother’s siblings Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer were listed in the birth announcement as having been informed of Archie’s birth.
Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland is expected to fly in from Los Angeles to attend her first grandchild’s big day.
The Queen will not attend her eighth great-grandchild’s christening, as she has prior commitments, reports The Sun.
Who are the godparents?
While there has been no official confirmation from Buckingham Palace, there are several friends who are tipped to be godparents.
Serena Williams, who is in London competing in Wimbledon, and Meghan’s close friend Jessica Mulroney are in the running to be godmothers.
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Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney and Soho House director Markus Anderson are also among the suggestions.
Prince Harry could also ask one of mother’s relations to be a godparent or one of his cousins, such as Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie.
What will Archie wear?
As per tradition, it’s likely Archie will wear the Honiton christening gown.
The frilled satin dress is a replica of the baptism garment first worn by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, also named Victoria, back in 1841.
Since then, the christening gown has become a cultural marker in the regal history books as it has been worn by 62 royals in total including Princes Harry and William.
Five monarchs have worn the dress on their big day from King Edward VII to George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
The last member of the family to wear the lace number was Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, at her 2004 christening.
It’s thought that the original became too fragile and the Queen asked her personal dresser Angela Kelly to make a replica.
The first royal to wear the imitation gown was Lady Louise Windsor’s younger brother, James, Viscount Severn in 2008.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have all worn the outfit.
Archie will be the tenth royal tot to wear the christening gown.
