Archie Harrison's christening will take place two months after he was born, and five days after Princess Diana's birth anniversary.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle's first-born child Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will soon follow in the footsteps of his older cousins, Prince William's children, and have a christening in the first three months of his birth. Baby Archie was born on May 6 and the historic moment will take place on July 6, just days after Princess Diana's 58th birth anniversary. His parents have decided not to have a title for their child.
The couple has picked a location special to them and their family. The special place where the christening will take place is also where they got married and Prince Harry's christening had taken place. The family affair will take place at Queen Elizabeth's private chapel at Windsor Castle, which is close to their Frogmore Cottage.
The new parents “wanted an intimate, peaceful setting in a place with such a special connection to Her Majesty,” says a royal source to People. The world will see a glimpse of the event a day later. Around 25 close family members and friends will be present there since royal christenings are mostly a private affair. The godparents will also be there. According to royal correspondent Roya Nikkah of the Sunday Times, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are thought to have chosen a host of transatlantic friends as godparents." However, the Queen will miss the event. She also added, "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are due to attend baby Archie’s christening, together with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland who is also expected to travel from California to stay with the Sussexes for her grandson’s baptism."
“This is a beautiful milestone and they are excited to share it as a family first and then with the world,” says the source to People. The family of three has so far been private about their child and have limited exposure to the media.
We have seen very little of baby Archie so far and the parents have been protective of their "private" life. We saw baby Archie during the photocall at Windsor two days after his birth, then a bit of him on Mother's Day and another glimpse of him on Father's Day.
Archie will follow the tradition of wearing the replica of the christening gown worn by royal children and will be baptized with holy water from the River Jordan using the silver Lily font. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who married the couple, will be presiding over the ceremony, according to ET Online. The Archbishop has reportedly become "close to Meghan after her baptism". Archie's older cousins Prince George, Louis, and Princess Charlotte have also worn the same gown on their christenings, as did Princes William and Harry.
Harry is "sharing the parenting duties with his wife," according to the source, writes ET Online. The Prince wants to be an involved parent and is struggling with royal duties and sleepless nights. However, he is enjoying every minute of it. Former actress Meghan "is radiant, taking each day one day at a time."
The private chapel was created for Queen Victoria between 1840 and 1847 and was destroyed in a fire in 1992 only to be rebuilt in 1994. In 1984, the larger St. George. It was destroyed by the catastrophic Windsor fire in 1992 and rebuilt with modern updates in 1994.
References:
https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-prince-harry-archie-christening-queen-private-chapel-windsor/
https://twitter.com/RoyaNikkhah/status/1140135698487554054
https://www.etonline.com/baby-archies-christening-everything-we-know-127895
