Harry’s ‘wingman’ revealed as Archie’s godparent
Despite keeping many details of Archie’s christening secret, the identity of one of the newest royal’s godparents has been leaked.
The identity of one of royal baby Archie’s godfathers has been revealed after Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex upset royal fans by refusing to name his godparents after his christening.
The Sunday Times named Charlie van Straubenzee, a friend from Harry’s school days, who gave a speech at the Sussexes’ wedding teasing Harry for being “a ginger”, as “one of Archie’s godfathers”.
It is also possible that Tiggy Pettifer, the former nanny of Harry and William, is one of Archie’s godmothers, The Sunday Times speculated. She was said to have been spotted at Windsor Castle and her son Fred is Harry’s godson and William is godfather to her other son, Tom.
The Sussexes insisted on privacy for the christening and would only release two photos on Twitter.
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But the ceremony was conducted with the best of traditions, a font commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1840, with water from the River Jordan, with a Hollywood A-list twist for royal baby Archie’s christening.
The first son of Prince Harry and Meghan, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was welcomed into the Church of England last night.
New pictures were released but the baptism has largely been a private affair at Harry and Meghan’s request.
A Royal Communications spokesman 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.”
Two photographs were released of the baptism, taken by Chris Allerton in the Green Drawing Room and the Rose Garden at Windsor Castle.
The photo in the drawing room was posted on the official royal Instagram account.
Chris Allerton said: “I am honoured to take the official photographs at the christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and to once again, be part of such a special and joyous occasion for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Some commentators have described the secrecy as Hollywood-style.
Only 25 guests were invited to the baptism, which was held in a private chapel in Windsor Castle, with the Queen unable to attend because of a prior engagement.
But Harry’s dad Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended.
Serena Williams told News Corp Australia this week that she was a cancellation because she had to “work” at Wimbledon.
Prince Harry’s former nanny Tiggy Legge Bourke also attended, sparking speculation she may have been given the godmother duties.
Duncan Larcombe, a former royal editor at The Sun who was close to Prince Harry, said the royal couple were drawing a “line in the sand” over what access the world would have to Archie’s life.
“It’s disappointing for me because I really like Harry and I’ve known him for a long time,” he told Sky News.
“But it seems like there is a pettiness and a truculence since he got married, since perhaps news of their relationship became public, I think you can trace it back to then — the sort of petulance that, over a longer period of time, could do him a lot of harm.”
The identity of the godparents is a secret and it was confirmed that the Archbishop of Canterbury performed the ceremony.
Meghan’s friend Jessica Mulroney was short priced favourite with bookmakers for godmother.
But Meghan attended Wimbledon with two university friends Lindsay Roth and Genevieve Hillis this week.
stephen.drill@news.co.uk
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