The Sussex Team

The Christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor!

The christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor took place exactly two months after his May 6 birth. The baptism ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth II’s private chapel at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England.

Meghan Markle Prince Harry Archie
Credit: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor was a decidedly intimate affair. Only about 25 people were invited to participate in the christening, all of them close friends and family. Although the christening was a private affair, Harry and Meghan allowed one photographer, Chris Allerton, to document the day. Chris shared his thoughts about photographing that day:

“I am honoured to take the official photographs at the christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and to once again be part of such a special and joyous occasion for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” he said in a statement.

Indeed, this is not the first time Chris has been on-hand to photograph a milestone for Harry and Meghan. He captured private images of their wedding, one of which was shared as the Sussexes’ Christmas card in 2018, and several others were used to mark their anniversary.

He was also in his presence to document Archie being introduced to the world a couple of days after he was born and the first time he met his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

Meghan and Harry shared both photo’s a few hours after the ceremony.

They shared a statement in honor of the day.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to share the happiness of this day and would like to thank everyone around the world for their ongoing support. They feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this special moment with family and Archie’s godparents.”

Royal Family christening Archie Mountbatten WIndsor
Credit: Chris Allerton/Pool via REUTERS

Archie’s portrait included the closest family members of both of his parents. On Prince Harry’s side: Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Also in the photo were Princess Diana’s sisters – Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale – in tribute to Harry’s late mother. Meghan was supported by her mother, Doria Ragland.

Archie’s great-grandparents, the belated Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth, did not attend his christening. The Queen reportedly had prior commitments, and duty always comes first for the British monarch. Her not being at her great-grandchild’s baptism is not entirely unprecedented. She missed her sixth great-grandchild Prince Louis’s baptism as well.

Meghan Markle Christening Archie
Credit: Chris Allerton/Pool via REUTERS

Archie was christened in a replica of the dress that Queen Victoria commissioned for her first-born child, her daughter Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa. Little Princess Victoria was baptized in 1841 in Buckingham Palace, on her parents’ first wedding anniversary.

The original gown was worn by 62 royal babies over the course of its 163 years of royal service. Five monarchs have been baptized in the gown, beginning with Victoria and Albert’s first son, the future Edward VII. George V, Edward VIII, George VI and the Queen. Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry also wore the piece, before it was deemed too fragile to continue using.

Meghan Markle Prince Diana Christening Archie and Prince Harry
Credit: REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo / PA Images

Archie’s gown is same gown that his cousins George, Charlotte, and Louis wore to their baptisms.

During the religious ceremony, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, used the Lily Font, a silver gilt bowl that has been used for every royal baby since Princess Victoria in 1841. The spectacular piece was first designed for royal christenings by Queen Victoria’s husband Prince. The font was used to christen each of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children as well as all of The Queen’s children and grandchildren.

Christening Archie Lily Font
Credit: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

When it is not being used for Royal christenings, the font lives in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. However, the Lily Font never left London until Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015 where it was transported to the church of St Mary Magdalene near the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The timing of its arrival is only known to a handful of people, and the man responsible for looking after the Lily Font is said to take great care to not be photographed.

Archie was blessed with water from the river Jordan. Some Christians believe that this is where Jesus was baptized by Saint John. Millions of pilgrims immerse themselves in the river each year, both on the Palestinian and Jordanian sides, to demonstrate repentance for their sins.

The choir who sang at Meghan and Harry’s wedding provided the chorus for the baptism of Archie as well. The choir boys performed under the director of music James Vivian at the couple’s wedding, alongside the Kingdom Choir, whose gospel performance of ‘Stand by Me’ was an instant hit.

The choir at their wedding:

Credit:PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The family picture from the christening was taken in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle – the same room where Meghan and Harry’s wedding portraits were taken.

Arhcie Christening the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle
Credit: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

About the room from royal-splendor:

“The green drawing room owes its name from the green silk damask installed on the walls. In 1834, Queen Adelaide wanted to provide employment to poverty-stricken people of Ireland, so she ordered green silk damasks from this part of the kingdom. Every 30 years, these damasks are replaced and the walls in this room have always been green, with matching curtains and upholstery, as well as the delicate green Sevres vases painstakingly selected to completed with the walls. Blue ground vases are also displayed to match the room’s color scheme.”

Let’s move on and have a look at the family members. In my opinion, Doria looked wonderful in pink. Since joining the royal family, Meghan has always made sure that Doria is included in important family events. From Doria’s seriously stylish appearance at the royal wedding to her presence in Archie’s first photo with Queen Elizabeth, Meghan’s mom continually supports her daughter’s endeavors, which is beyond sweet to see. And her outfit at Archie’s christening was, quite simply, perfect!

Doria Ragland Archie Christening
Credit: Chris Allerton/Pool via REUTERS

Both Kate and Camilla looked very stylish and elegant attending the christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. Camilla wore a white Anne Valentine dress, and Kate a pink Stella McCartney dress, which she accessorized with a Juliette Botterill headband, and a pair of Emmy London red pumps. And most notably, Kate wore the pair of pearl earrings which
Diana famously wore to Prince Harry’s christening. It goes without saying that it’s incredibly sweet that she wore the earrings to the christening of Prince Harry’s own son, making the sweetest reference to Diana in the process.

Duchess of Cambridge Duchess of Cornwall Archie Christening
Credit: REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo

And completing the sweet family portrait were two of Prince Harry’s aunts—Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale. It’s understandable that Harry would want to include Princess Diana’s sisters in his sons christening portraits. After all, their inclusion is the perfect tribute to Harry’s late mother and shows the continuing influence Diana will have on both her children’s and her grandchildren’s lives.

Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale Archie Christening
Credit: Chris Allerton/Pool via REUTERS

In May 2019, it was reported that Lady Jane Fellowes was one of the first people to be introduced to baby Archie by Meghan and Harry. And both Jane and Sarah attended Meghan and Harry’s wedding in May 2018.

As for Meghan herself, she kept it classic wearing a custom ivory Dior dress with three-quarter sleeves. Meghan paired it with an updo and a matching hat. The color of the dress and hat matched Archie’s gown and stood out in the picture.

Meghan Markle custom ivory Dior dress with three-quarter sleeves
Credit: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

I believe that Meghan’s decision to wear Dior that day was well considered! The house announced Maria Grazia Chiuri, their first female creative director, back in 2016, and Maria has since been moving the brand in a progressive, feminist-focused direction. And not just the clothing: Daniel Martin, Meghan’s friend and the one who made her wedding make-up, is a Dior brand ambassador. “She’s always had such an innate sense of her own style. Everything she wears, she picks herself.” Daniel said during an interview with Gayle King on a CBS special.

This is all to say that Meghan’s decision to wear Dior to such an important event makes sense. Her dress is a nod to one of her favorite designers, but it still honors the looks of royal christenings past, especially in color and style.

Meghan completed the look with the Cartier earrings she wore on her wedding day.

Meghan Markle Cartier wedding earrings

Such a lovely day!

Let’s just have a last look at Archie! I’m not exaggerating when I say he is seriously one of the most adorable babies I’ve ever seen

Christening Archie Mountbatten-windsor
Credit: Chris Allerton/Pool via REUTERS

Let me hear your thoughts!

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2 thoughts on “The Christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor!”

  1. It was a unique day, unrepeatable, backed by the elegant grandmother Doria, her aunts, a symbol more than her mother Diana is very present in her lives, and a frankly regrettable absence, the Queen, Archie’s great-grandmother, a more memory, to differentiate some great-grandchildren from others. Fortunately Archie is loved worldwide, for the affection we have, great achievements have been achieved for charitable causes !!! The only one, together with his sister, and his parents Harry and Meghan, for whom we mobilize solidarity. Today for the birthday of our beloved and admired Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, which will be a great success and a great help to all the girls in India, and for luck in a few months, the baptism of our hope and desired Lilibet Diana , “Lili” .‍‍‍ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️✨Blessings ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.

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