Everything we know about Archie’s Royal christening

The christening of Archie should be steeped in history and custom. But will Royal rule breakers Meghan and Harry put a modern spin on a monarchy tradition? Here’s everything you need to know about the Royal christening.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Picture: AFP

The countdown is officially on to Archie’s christening, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex preparing a special family gathering believed to be taking place this Saturday.

Like most Royal family events, christenings are steeped in history and custom.

But will Royal rule breakers Meghan and Harry be tempted put a modern spin on a monarchy tradition? Here is everything we know about the impending Royal christening.

Location

The intimate christening will be held the private chapel inside Windsor Castle, close to St George’s Chapel where the Duke and Duchess were married and where Harry himself was christened in 1984.

Prince Henry of Wales, with the Prince and Princess of Wales. Picture: Getty

Diana and Prince Charles with Prince William on the day of his Christening at Buckingham Palace in 1982. Picture: Anwar Hussein/WireImage

The then Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) with Prince Charles at his christening.

Princess Elizabeth with Prince Charles at his christening on 15 Dec 1948.

Date

The christening is believed to take place on July 6, two days after the July 4 Independence Day holiday in the US, which also marks two months since Archie was born.

Guests

Proud grandfather the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to attend, as well as with Archie’s grandmother, the Duchess’s mother Doria Ragland, who is flying in from the United States.

Due to prior commitments, Queen Elizabeth will not be attending the christening of her eighth great-grandchild. She also missed Prince Louis’ big day last year.

The ceremony is expected to be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who reportedly struck up a close connection with Meghan since he baptised and confirmed her into the Anglican faith two months before her wedding.

US tennis player Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Picture: AFP

Canadian fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney holds bridesmaids hands. Picture: AFP

The Godparents

While the palace aren’t likely to confirm the official godparents until closer to the day, it’s obvious from Meghan and Harry’s group of friends, Archie will be a well-connected young lad.

Leading the rumour race is Tennis ace Serena Williams, who is competing at Wimbledon this week and Meghan’s close friend Jessica Mulroney, who would have to fly in from Toronto. Other close friends in the running to be godparents include Harry’s mentor Mark Dyer, whose son Jasper was a pageboy at the Royal wedding and Soho House director Markus Anderson, a close friend of the couple.

The Duchess of Cambridge carries Prince George after his christening at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace in 2013. Picture: Getty

The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis at his christening at St James’s Palace in 2018. Picture: Getty

The christening gown

Archie is expected to wear the same christening gown as his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The new Royal christening gown is a replica of the Honiton lace garment made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter Victoria in 1841.

The original gown was worn by 62 Royal babies including Harry and his brother William, but was deemed too fragile by the Queen who commissioned a replica be made.

James Viscount Severn, the son of Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, who was also christened in the private chapel of Windsor Castle on 19 April 2008, was the first Royal baby to wear the new christening gown which was handmade by the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly and Buckingham Palace’s team of dressmakers.

Holy Water

All Royal babies are baptised by the sacred Lily Font bowl, which has been in the Royal family and used in baptisms since 1841. The water used to christen Royal babies comes from the River Jordan in the Middle East — how Jesus was baptised by John in the bible.

In 2015, the water was flown in especially for Princess Charlotte’s baptism but they might already have some on tap after Louis’ christening a year prior and even Archie’s mum’s communion in March 2018 when she was baptised into the Church of England at the Chapel Royal in London ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry.

Meghan, Harry post new photo of Archie on Instagram.

The Royals arrive for the christening of Prince Louis in 2018. Picture: Getty

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Photos

Unfortunately fans hoping to get a glimpse of Archie — who hasn’t been seen in public since June 16 when the couple shared a Father’s Day snap on social media — might be disappointed.

While Harry’s christening on December 21, 1984 was filmed in a Royal first and televised a few days later along with the Queen’s annual Christmas message, Archie’s baptism is expected to be a much more intimate affair.

Like other recent Royal christening ceremonies Archie’s will be private, but unlike those of the Cambridge children, it’s unlikely the public will see any images or footage from the day. Instead, Harry and Meghan are expected to issue a photograph in the days following.

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