Harry and Meghan’s baby Archie christened at Windsor
Image copyright Chris Allerton/SussexRoyal The son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has been christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a private ceremony.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was baptised in front of close family and friends in the private chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended but were not thought to have their children with them.
The Queen did not attend due to a prior engagement.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were reported to have arrived at the ceremony by helicopter and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, also attended.
A full list of the 25 guests has not been made public, but Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale – the sisters of Prince Harry’s mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales – were pictured in an official photograph taken at the christening.
A Royal Communications spokesperson said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to share the happiness of this day, and would like to thank everyone around the world for their ongoing support.
“They feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this special moment with family and Archie’s godparents.”
The royal couple opted to exclude the press and the public from the day and chose not to reveal the names of Archie’s godparents.
Instead of having press photographers, fashion photographer Chris Allerton – who took their wedding photos – captured the special moment, with two pictures released to the public and posted on the couple’s Instagram account.
Mr Allerton said he was “honoured” to take the official photographs and “be part of such a joyous occasion”.
Prince Harry and Meghan did follow some royal traditions, however.
Archie wore a handmade replica of the royal christening robe which was made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter.
The robe, which has been worn by royal infants on the occasion of their christening for the last 11 years, was made by Angela Kelly, dressmaker to the Queen.
The ornate Lily Font, commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for the baptism of their first child Victoria, Princess Royal, in 1841, was also used – as was water from the River Jordan.
Members of the St George’s Chapel Choir performed at the ceremony.
Those hoping for more than a glimpse of the royal christening today will have been disappointed.
There was no television coverage, nor have press photographers been invited.
Normally a list of godparents would be released, but this time, says the palace, in keeping with the wishes of those chosen by Harry and Meghan, their names will be kept private.
It all points to a very different royal event, part of the continuing desire by the Duke and Duchess to raise their son Archie out of the spotlight.
Coming so swiftly after the revelation that almost £2.5m of taxpayers’ money was spent renovating a property for Harry and Meghan – it has led to questions about visibility.
The previous understandings about public access to royal events appear to have been abandoned by a couple determined to do things their own way.
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