While fans of the royal family have eagerly awaited official details about baby Archie’s christening, they may be disappointed with Prince Harry and Meghan’s most recent announcement.
Unlike christenings of other royal children including Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George where the media have been invited to parts of the ceremony, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed that Archie’s service will be a private event. Many details surrounding the ceremony will not be made public.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, Prince Harry and Meghan said their son would be christened this Saturday.
“Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will be christened in a small private ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, July 6th,” the statement read.
While it will be a private ceremony, royal fans will still get a glimpse of the big day, with the young couple explaining that some photographs will be shared with the public.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex look forward to sharing some images taken on the day by photographer Chris Allerton,” the statement continued.
It wasn’t confirmed when these images would be released to the public. Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, also explained that information about who Archie’s godparents are will not be made public.
“The godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private,” the statement concluded.
Fans have remained divided over whether the public should be entitled to more information about baby Archie’s christening. Writing for The Telegraph in the United Kingdom, journalist Celia Walden claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan can’t demand privacy for their son while asking the public to fund their lavish lifestyle.
She also described the couple keeping details about their son as a “public snub” and a “slap in the face”.
Meanwhile, the decision has also divided people on social media. Some, like Walden, believe the public is entitled to more information about Archie.
One tweet read: “The majority of the British Public does not wish to fund the lifestyle of unemployed Harry Windsor and his former actress wife. We expect that pair to work for a living and live as they wish as private citizens like the rest of us.”
Another said: “Please explain why the public are paying tax for the Sussex’s to continue dictating a private life at our expense? If they want a private life we shouldn’t be paying for them.”
Others disagreed, with one tweet reading: “Why complain about not knowing who the god parents are it’s no one’s business. Many of you complained about her baby shower saying that it was to Hollywood and now your complaining about the christening being private. I just don’t get it this woman can’t catch a break.”
A further tweet said: “I applaud them for staying true to who they are. It’s their family and they are entitled to do whatever they want.”
A third added: “Well we now have official confirmation of Archie’s christening & as usual like all royal christenings it will be a small and private ceremony in accordance with what the royal family’s done in the past. This will be a very special day for the Sussex family & I wish them the best.”