We are back with a quick post focusing on this weekend’s christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
This afternoon Buckingham Palace released information about that event. As widely reported, the christening is this Saturday, July 6th. Below, the Buckingham Palace news release.
The ceremony will be in the Queen’s Private Chapel, located in the state apartments at Windsor Castle. It was destroyed by the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle but rebuilt in 1994. The Chapel seats about 30 people, providing a more intimate setting than St. George’s Chapel which seats 800.
As noted in the release, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will do the baptism.
The Archbishop baptized and confirmed Meghan into the Anglican faith, and also presided at the Duke and Duchess’s wedding.
It’s expected Archie will wear the replica of the Honiton lace christening gown, commissioned by Queen Victoria for the baptism of her first child, Princess Victoria, in 1841. You see Prince William wearing the original gown for his christening in August 1982.
Details on the gown from British Vogue:
The white Spitalfields silk-satin gown, which has cap sleeves and a Honiton cotton lace overlay, was created to resemble the dress that Queen Victoria wore for her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840.
Over time the original satin and lace gown became increasingly fragile and the Queen’s dressmaker, Angela Kelly, created a replica. The last royal to wear the original gown is Lady Louise Windsor in 2003, Edward and Sophie’s daughter. Again, there are reports the gown will be used, but we won’t know until we see photos from the ceremony.
It’s likely we will also see the Lily Font, originally commissioned by Queen Victoria and used at royal christenings since 1841.
Photographs will be taken by Chris Allerton who shot the candid photos at Meghan and Harry’s wedding.
Mr. Allerton also took the historic photograph of the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Doria Ragland, and Harry and Meghan with Archie.
We expect christening photos to be released on Sunday, but that has not been confirmed. It’s likely we will see some posted on the Sussex Royal Instagram page.
As noted in the Palace release, “The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private.” It’s believed the godparents are primarily private citizens, not individuals that would be considered celebrities with household names.
We’ll know much more on Sunday. Even if photos are somehow taken on Saturday, we’ll abide by the couple’s wishes and wait until Sunday to publish pictures.
A request from both Susans that there be no comments on the Duke and Duchess’s decision about a pool photographer and the decision on the godparents’ privacy. We have talked about this and don’t see any benefit in relitigating something many people have strong feelings about that are unlikely to change. Thank you in advance! Susan C and Susan K
We’ll see you on Sunday!
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