MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry are expected to arrive in the United Kingdom to christen Lilibet Diana, their newest addition to the family, alongside the Queen. Here’s what we know so far about the christening’s date, location, and who will be in attendance.
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor joined the family of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on June 4, 2021. Archie Harrison, the couple’s two-year-old son, was born on May 6, 2019, and is now a big brother to Lili, who was named after her great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Despite the fact that Harry and Meghan have stepped down as senior royals, Harry is said to be close to his grandmother and is eager for his daughter to meet one of his life’s most powerful women, with plans reportedly in the works to bring Lili to the UK.
While the Sussex family no longer resides in the United Kingdom after Meghan and Harry chose to live outside of the palace walls in California, they are rumoured to be planning a trip back to the UK soon.
Because Lili is the Queen’s 11th great-granddaughter, it’s likely that they’ll want a proper religious christening for her, with the British side of the family present.
Meghan and Harry have reportedly made a formal request to meet the Queen and introduce her to Lili, who was named after the Queen’s family nickname, Lilibet.
Since they stepped down as working royals, the couple’s relationship with the Royal Family has been strained, but Harry is said to be close to his grandmother.
So, how much do we know about the baptism? The website Express.co.uk breaks down all of the details surrounding Lili’s big day.
Where is Lilibet Diana’s christening?
Meghan and Harry, according to The Sun, have requested that the christening take place at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s official residence.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor have a special connection to the castle because they were married in St George’s Chapel, which is located on the grounds of the Queen’s second home.
In 2019, they christened their son Archie at the castle in a ceremony that was less public than traditional royal christenings.
“Harry told several people that they want Lili christened in Windsor, just like her brother,” a source told the Daily Mail. They are content to wait until the situation permits.”
When is Lilibet Diana’s christening scheduled?
The christening date has yet to be determined, and it will most likely be influenced by Covid travel restrictions.
The United States is currently on the amber list for travel to the United Kingdom, but Meghan and Harry are said to have offered to go to the Queen.
We can, however, take inspiration from Archie’s christening. At the age of two months, the couple’s first child was baptised.
Lili was born in June, so she’s already three months old, indicating that the wedding could happen soon.
Is it possible that Lilibet will be christened in the United States after all?
Lilibet was born in Santa Barbara, California, and has spent her entire life in the United States.
The difficulty of getting around the travel restrictions with a young child may prove too much to navigate with a young child, so the family may decide to stay in the United States after all.
“It must be likely that she will be christened in California,” Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk, “though there were rumours of a possible christening at Windsor.”
“When Archie was christened in private and the names of the godparents were not released, Harry and Meghan’s relations with the British press deteriorated dramatically.”
Who is expected to attend the christening?
Prince Charles, Markle’s mother Doria Ragland, the late Princess Diana’s sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall were among the guests on Archie’s special day.
The group was photographed in Windsor Castle’s Green Drawing Room, which also hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s official wedding photos in 2018.
Will the christening be broadcast on television?
Because the Sussexes have yet to show us a picture of their adorable little girl, it’s likely that this will be held behind closed doors, just like Archie’s.
This could indicate that we are unaware of what is going on and will only learn about it after the fact.
Given that the couple hasn’t even released a single photo of their four-month-old, we can expect much of the event to be kept private.
However, if they are granted their Winsdor Castle ceremony, it is expected that they will continue to follow some traditions, as they did with Archie.
Archie wore a handmade replica of the royal christening gown worn by royal babies for the previous 11 years for the occasion.
“The original Royal Christening Robe, made of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1841 and first worn by her eldest daughter,” the couple explained on Instagram.
“It was then worn for generations of Royal christenings, including The Queen, her children, and grandchildren, until 2004, when The Queen commissioned this handcrafted replica in order to preserve the fragile historic outfit and continue the tradition.”
A christening should be a private and family affair between you and God and whatever church you choose. If we truly want them to be happy this is one time when we should leave them in peace. And be glad that this precious time was not open to unkind people.
God. Bless Duke Harry and Duchess Meghan of Sussex and their children Archie and Lilibet🙏😇💚❤️