There is every possibility you were unable to follow the royal christening of the little Lord Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The service conducted for Duke and Duchess’ son was in an intimate ceremony in company of family and friends. Two-month-old Archie was also baptized with the Lily Font – a silver gilt bowl- that has been used by every royal baby since Princess Victoria in 1841. Royal baptism is usually a private affair and Archie’s no exception. The Duke and Duchess released photographs on Instagram after the christening. There is however a followership of sort that goes on with the Royal Family. If you are one such follower, catch up with what you may have missed.
1. Archie’s gown has deep family connection
Following a long family tradition, Archie wore a replica of the royal Honiton lace christening gown worn by Queen Victoria and Albert’s first child, Victoria in 1841. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis wore this very gown for their christening. Over the 163 years of royal service, 62 royal babies donned the attire. The Queen’s granddaughter last used the Honiton in 2004 and since then the replica has been used.
2. Who attended the ceremony
A handful of people witnessed the baptism conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Only 4 members of the royal family made the guestlist of 25 – the Prince of Whales and Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Grandmother to Archie and mother of the Duchess of Sussex as well as the sisters of the late Lady Diana, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale were also in attendance. According to Sunday Times, the Queen and Duke of Edinburg could not attend due to prior commitments.
3. The Venue has hosted his parents before
The baptism took place at the Queen’s private chapel Windsor castle, one of the oldest and most famous residents owned by the royal family. What’s more is that the private chapel sits only 30 people, making the event more intimate. St. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex got married at the larger St. George’s Castle last year.
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The castle also hosted Princess Eugenie and Lady Gabriella Windsor when they got married to Jack Brooksbank and Thomas Kingston respectively. Ceremonial pictures were taken in the Green Drawing Room, which was same for the wedding pictures of his parents. The Royal family also used this room while celebrating the Duke of Sussex’s baptism in 1984.
4. Tribute to Princess Diana
Late Princess Diana’s sisters attended the royal christening. The green and gold couch used in the official photograph released was also where the royal family gathered to pose for Prince Harry’s christening.
5. Who are Archie’s Godparents?
During christening, it is customary to reveal those that will be responsible for the child’s spiritual guidance. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed their wish to privacy over the life of their son. As it stands, it seems their wish for their son to be treated as a “private citizen is being granted. In line with their wishes, Archie will not use a ‘His Royal Highness’ style of address and he will not take a courtesy. The secrecy of his godparents is a deviation to traditional christenings. What remains fairly certain is that no member of the Royal family will be among those saddled with Archie’s spiritual responsibility.
6. The Duchess of Sussex wore a white Dior dress
One of the photographs released after the royal christening show a beaming Meghan Markle in a white long-sleeve Dior dress and matching cradling Archie. Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton dazzled in a pink Stella McCartney dress and Doria Ragland slayed in summer hues.
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