Archie christening photos LIVE: First pictures of royal baby being baptised released from private celebration
Christening takes place at Windsor Castle
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was christened in a private ceremony on Saturday 6 July.
The event took place at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle, the same castle where Prince Harry and Meghan wed on 19 May 2018. According to Buckingham Palace, the royal's christening was a small affair, attended by fewer than 25 people, and the names of his godparents will remain private as per the royal couple’s wishes.
On Saturday afternoon, the palace released two photographs taken by Chris Allerton from the occasion. One image showed just the royal couple and their son while the other was a group shot featuring several members of the royal family. The former was taken in the Rose Garden at Windsor Castle while the latter was taken in the Green Drawing Room.
See how the day unfolded below...
Hello, and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog for Archie Harrison Mounbatten-Windsor’s christening.
The godparents of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son are to remain a secret, Buckingham Palace has announced.
On Wednesday 3 July, a statement was released by the palace regarding the upcoming christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
In the announcement, it was confirmed that the christening is due to take place on Saturday 6 July in a small ceremony held in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.
"The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private," the statement read.
Speculation has been rife as to who will be named the godparents of Meghan and Prince Harry's son Archie Harrison, with contenders including media mogul Oprah Winfrey, fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney and Hollywood actor George Clooney.
The christening will the first time the world will see Archie Harrison since his photocall on 8 May.
To mark Mother’s Day in the US, the Duchess of Sussex posed for a photograph with her son for a photograph shared on her and the Duke of Sussex’s official Instagram account.
“Paying tribute to all mothers today - past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered. We honour and celebrate each and every one of you,” an excerpt of the photo’s caption read.
The post concluded with a poem by Nayyirah Waheed, published in her 2013 collection, salt.
In the photo, Meghan held her newborn son’s feet in her hands in front of a background of purple forget-me-nots, one of late Princess Diana’s favourite flowers.
Today is the day. Given that the christening is a private event, it's not clear what time the celebrations will begin.
On Wednesday, a statement was released by Buckingham Palace that revealed the christening would be held in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
That's about all we know so far. Watch this space.
Archie is expected to wear the traditional cream royal christening gown for the event, an ensemble worn by his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at their christenings.
The Duchess of Cambridge carrying Prince George at his christening in October 2013
The intricate lace and satin gown was created by Angela Kelly, the Queen's dressmaker, and is a replica of one made for Queen Victoria in 1841.
Duke and Duchess of Sussex accused of 'trying to draw a line in the sand'
Harry and Meghan have been criticised by a royal biographer for choosing to keep Archie's christening private.
Duncan Larcombe, author of Prince Harry - The Inside Story, has described the couple's decision as "disappointing", telling Sky News: "It seems like there is a pettiness and a truculence since [Prince Harry] 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 author's comments come after Buckingham Palace confirmed that Archie's christening would be a "small private ceremony", with fewer than 25 people expected to attend.
Serena Williams will not be attending christening, tennis champion confirms
Serena Williams might be close friends with the Duchess of Sussex, but the tennis champion has revealed she will not be attending Archie's christening on Saturday.
During a press conference at Wimbledon, a reporter asked Williams whether or not Meghan had asked her to be a godparent and if she would be present at the ceremony.
"No, I'm working on Saturday," the 37-year-old responded. "[Meghan] understands work".
Royal helicopter spotted arriving at Windsor Castle ahead of christening
The ceremony is expected to start any minute, given that a royal helicopter has been spotted arriving at Windsor Castle.
It's thought that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall arrived via the aircraft.
While the royal couple have vowed to keep the identities of their chosen godparents a secret, it's likely Archie will have more than the standard three.
Royal babies usually have more godparents than most. Prince Louis, for example, has six, Princess Charlotte has five and Prince George has a whopping seven.
Naturally, speculations are rife as to who Meghan and Harry have chosen, and major A-list names in the mix include Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney and Serena Williams, all of whom attended the couple's wedding in May last year.
Royal commentator says decision for couple to keep christening private 'seems fair'
The decision to keep the royal baby's christening private has irked some members of the British public, who argue that, as a member of the royal family, they are owed information regarding his christening, such as who his godparents are.
However, Buckingham Palace revealed that the identities of Archie's godparents would be kept secret.
But despite criticisms, royal commentator Omid Scobie tells The Independent that this is no bad thing.
"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."
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