For long we have waited to see a full picture of the newest addition to the royal family. And now we have it!
For two months now, we've all waited with bated breath for Baby Archie's reveal. First, we got the official pictures after his birth, and then we were teased with pictures of his feet and hands for the Mother's Day and Father's Day post on the official royal Instagram handle. But on Saturday, July 6th, we finally got a glimpse of Archie in the newly posted picture after his christening.
Nestled in the arms of his loving parents, the newborn was baptized Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at the Queen's Private Chapel at the Windsor Castle by the Archbishop of Canterbury, reported the BBC.
According to the Independent UK live news coverage of the event, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were the first to arrive by helicopter. Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother was in attendance as well. Then came news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton had arrived but sans children.
Though tradition was for the ceremony to be public, Prince Harry and Meghan broke it when they announced that Archie's christening was going to be completely private. In fact, the guest list had only 25 people on it, though the full list hasn't been made public, according to the BBC.
However, it was reported by Harper's Bazaar that the late Princess Diana's sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale were also present and they are even seen in the official photo released by the official Instagram handle, Sussex Royal. It must've brought back many memories.
With no press coverage of any sort, the couple instead chose to go to private photographer, Chris Allerton, for a photoshoot after the christening. The official photographs were taken in Windsor Castle's Green Drawing Room and the Rose Garden, Buckingham Palace said. And here is one of the full family in attendance.
They lined up outside Windsor Castle, ready to see Archie in all his splendor. John Loughrey, a 64-year-old retired chef from Streatham, told the Telegraph UK he had been there since 4:00 P.M. on Friday. Mr. Loughrey, a royal fan of 22-years, said, “I'm here to see Meghan and Harry and their first born child - I'm looking forward to seeing them in the future because at the moment we aren't seeing them as a family that much."
Some fans even made the effort to pop the cork on a few bottles.
In addition to keeping the christening private, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex broke another tradition by not revealing who the godparents are. And they faced a ton of criticism for it. Fanning the flames was the news that British taxpayers footed a £2.4 million (about $3 million) bill for their home renovation, reported CNN.
The Sunday Times quoted royal biographer Penny Junor as saying, "They can't have it both ways. Either they are totally private, pay for their own house and disappear out of view, or play the game the way it is played." Additionally, as reported by the Daily Mail, a royal expert claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex risk alienating fans if they chose to share only stylized shots, as they did with Mother's Day and Father's Day posts this year.
There are still some people in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's corner with regards to her decision. "A christening is a public event, but every mother wants to protect their baby especially because of the shadow looming over them," said Professor Chris Imafidon, who is a member of the Royal Historical Society said, reported the Independent UK.
Royal commentator Omid Scobie agreed. "Ultimately this is a private christening for a citizen who will remain private until he is in a position to choose for himself," he said. "Until then, his parents — who are both public figures — will continue to share their own two lives with the world. Seems fair to me."
For now, we are just glad to see the newest member in full-color and up close. And he sure looks cute!
References:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/archie-christening-live-meghan-markle-17480428
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48891808
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48881697
https://www.instagram.com/sussexroyal/
